Diego Lopes has raised the possibility of moving up to the lightweight division. The featherweight contender's potential weight class change is generating discussion among MMA fans.
Featherweight contender Diego Lopes has reportedly floated the idea of moving up to lightweight, according to reports circulating as of July 1, 2026 — though the potential division change has not been officially confirmed.
Lopes, 31, currently sits ranked seventh in the featherweight division with a professional record of 28 wins and 8 losses. The Brazilian, who trains out of Lobo Gym MMA, carries an orthodox stance and stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach — a notably large frame for featherweight that could make the jump to 155 pounds a natural fit. He lands 3.83 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy, and his submission activity is a standout trait, averaging 1.4 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- A move to lightweight would shake up both divisions, with Lopes currently holding the seventh-ranked spot at featherweight
- His size — 180 cm and a 183-cm reach — suggests he may already be competing at a natural weight disadvantage at 145 pounds
- Lopes brings a well-rounded game with active submission hunting and steady striking volume, tools that would translate to lightweight competition
- Nothing is confirmed, and any divisional shift remains speculative at this stage
