UFC featherweight Diego Lopes is preparing for one of the biggest fights of his career, but he already has his next move planned.
The fan favorite just defeated Dan Ige at UFC 303 in one of the most cursed co-main events in promotional history. And he is now set to face former world title contender Brian Ortega at UFC 306 at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
Lopes and Ortega were due to fight in that UFC 303 co-main event before the latter was forced out with an illness just hours before the fight. But the event was saved by Ige, who appeared at the last minute to save the day at a catchweight.
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Diego Lopes’ teammate Alexa Grasso fights in the co-main event of UFC 306
UFC 306 has been branded Riyadh Season: Noche UFC, with The Sphere set to play host to an exciting night of not just fights but tributes for Mexican Independence Day. The co-main event sees Alexa Grasso defend her flyweight title in a trilogy with Valentina Shevchenko.
Grasso is the main Mexican representative from the two world title fights, and will look to cement her spot atop the division with another win over the legend. It will be a big night for her, and she will be joined by her teammate Diego Lopes on the card.
The Brazilian trains with Grasso at Lobo Gym in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he teaches her jiu-jitsu given his black belt experience. And he has plans to be in the corner, once he has had his own fight earlier in the night.
Diego Lopes details how he will be involved in two fights at UFC 306
Lopes has asked the UFC to have his fight moved down the card, but it appears unlikely given the importance of he and Ortega’s meeting. His opponent is another Mexican representative on the massive card, and their meeting will be high up on the card.
This means that Lopes will need to win quickly in order to be able to clear medicals and corner for the co-main event. “We have talked about this a lot, how we’re going to handle this, because I’ve been in her corner ever since she moved to 125lb,” Lopes told MMA Fighting.
💥🤝Diego Lopes plans to win quick at UFC 306, then corner Alexa Grasso on same night
“We have talked about this a lot, how we’re going to handle this, because I’ve been in her I’ll fight my fight, and then comes Alexa. We know how we come out of a fight, especially knowing how… pic.twitter.com/AmIRjKmXdr
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“We work together, we help each other, I teach her and learn from her, but we have no idea what we’re going to do. I’ll fight my fight, and then comes Alexa. We know how we come out of a fight, especially knowing how tough Ortega is.
“It could be a war and we both might come out bad. But I’m focused, it’s extra motivation to come out fine in this fight, to win quickly and rush to the locker room, change clothes and be in Alexa’s corner.”
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