Diego Lopes has expressed interest in moving up to the lightweight division. The featherweight contender's comments have sparked discussion about his future at 155 pounds.
Diego Lopes has publicly expressed interest in moving up to the lightweight division, setting off conversation around whether the Brazilian featherweight contender could make a run at 155 pounds.
Lopes, 31, currently sits ranked seventh in the featherweight division with a professional record of 28 wins and 8 losses. The Lobo Gym MMA product stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, giving him a physical frame that could translate well to the heavier weight class. An orthodox striker, Lopes lands 3.83 significant strikes per minute at a 47 percent accuracy rate, while also showing an active submission game with 1.4 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His takedown output sits at 0.88 per 15 minutes, rounding out a well-rounded skillset built over a lengthy professional career.
Why it matters
- A move to lightweight would place Lopes in one of the UFC's deepest and most competitive divisions, requiring him to build a ranking from scratch.
- His physical dimensions — particularly his height and reach for a featherweight — suggest he may already be competing close to his natural weight, making the transition a credible option.
- A dual-division presence or a permanent move upward could open significant matchup opportunities against established lightweight contenders.
Whether Lopes follows through on the expressed interest remains to be seen, but his combination of striking output and submission activity makes him a stylistically intriguing addition to any division.
