MIAMI – Diego Lopes feels he’s a threat to Alexander Volkanovski in every way possible in MMA.
Submission, knockout, or decision win – it doesn’t matter.
Lopes (27-6 MMA, 6-1 UFC) feels he has all the tools necessary to beat Volkanovski (26-5 MMA, 13-4 UFC) and take home the vacant UFC featherweight title. The two are slated to meet in the main event of UFC 314 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+), which takes place Saturday at Kaseya Center.
“I think whichever opportunity shows up first,” Lopes told MMA Junkie in Spanish at Wednesday’s UFC 316 media day. “I have heavy hands to put him down, and my jiu-jitsu is also dangerous – both on top and on bottom. We’ve seen that he obviously hasn’t been finished on the ground, he has really good ground defense, but guys have been able to lock submission on him. I think I just need one opportunity to finish.”
Lopes knows he’s facing an all-time great in UFC featherweight history. A win over Volkanovski would do wonders for his legacy and fighting career. Lopes is confident he’ll win the belt, but knows there will be plenty of work to do afterwards.
“I’m still missing trajectory, still missing trajectory because of the record I have, the little time I have in the UFC, and how quickly things have developed for my career,” Lopes explained in Spanish. “I think time will tell, but I’m going to work hard to be one of the greatest in the division.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
