Rising Star Confirmed as UFC 308 Title Fight Backup

Ever-game Diego Lopes is the backup fighter for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway.

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Diego Lopes is the backup fighter for the featherweight title match between Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 in October.

Lopes confirmed the news in a post on September 27.

"Officially the back up for the fight on October 26th. See you in Abu Dhabi," Lopes wrote.

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The news all but confirms Lopes' status as the next featherweight title challenger after the conclusion of Topuria vs. Holloway. The Brazilian grappler-slugger has had a meteoric rise to fame, sparked by his incredible debut performance against Movsar Evloev in May 2023.

Since his debut loss, Lopes has reeled off five straight wins, with three finishes. Most notably, he fought Dan Ige on hours' notice at UFC 303 in June, and made a quick turnaround to defeat top-five contender Brian Ortega in September.

The UFC has the makings of another superstar if Lopes finds himself in a title fight.

Read More UFC & MMA News

• Conor McGregor Trolled for Calling Out UFC Champion: ‘Dana, Hit My Line'
  
  
• 'On Sight!' Drunk Conor McGregor Calls out UFC Champ for a Fight
  
  
• UFC Announces Massive Contender Fight for Final PPV of the Year
  
  
• UFC Paris: Moicano vs. Saint-Denis Full Card, Stream, Start Time, Odds
  
  

Stick with MMAKnockout for more FREE coverage of the UFC, MMA, Boxing, WWE, and AEW. Follow MMAKnockout on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.