NEW YORK—Diego Lopes needs a giant combat subsequent and it doesn’t must be Yair Rodriguez.
At Fanatics Fest on Saturday, Lopes spoke to MMA Combating about various subjects, together with his plans to headline UFC San Antonio on Sept. 13. Lopes hoped to e book a principal occasion combat towards Mexican rival Yair Rodriguez, however with Rodriguez apparently having on curiosity, Lopes is transferring on and he doesn’t assume Rodriguez ought to simply waltz right into a featherweight title shot.
“I don’t know, after this man refuse the combat with me, I don’t know if UFC sends the title combat for him,” Lopes mentioned. “I believe Movsar [Evloev] is subsequent. Movsar wins the combat with Aaron Pico, I believe 100% UFC places combating within the card in Abu Dhabi in October. Possibly it’s this combat as a result of the opposite day the UFC introduced Australia is a Battle Evening. I believe in Abu Dhabi the combat could also be Jack Della Maddalena going through Islam [Makhachev], I believe Movsar takes the large win going through Aaron Pico, possibly he fights [Alexander Volkanovski].”
Lopes and Rodriguez have engaged in a public disagreement, although Lopes discovered Rodriguez’s recent video response to him unconvincing.
“I believe this man is so nervous within the video,” Lopes mentioned. “This man is speaking loads of phrases, however don’t have any sense or context in your phrases.”
Whoever the UFC has in retailer for Lopes, he’s open to it, particularly if it’s one other high contender. Lopes just lately misplaced a vacant title combat to Alexander Volkanovski and he needs to show he’s worthy for an additional shot at gold sooner somewhat than later.
“Now, for me, it’s [any] combat the UFC sends me, I’m OK,” Lopes mentioned. “I need to combat Yair, however Yair say nothing, I don’t know. Possibly Jean Silva, Arnold Allen, everybody that’s within the rating, I’m ready for the combat.
“Now in my place, I misplaced my title combat, I believe I want just one massive combat for me [to fight for] the title once more.”
