Las Vegas – UFC featherweight Diego Lopes will give a fight with Brian Ortega another shot at Noche UFC this Saturday night at The Sphere.
“Considering the fact that Brian (has) a Mexican background, I live in Mexico, be able to fight in The Sphere in this great event is a great opportunity. Looking forward for the fight,” Lopes told Cageside Press among other media on Wednesday through a translator.
Lopes (25-6) will get a very motivated Ortega at Noche UFC. Ortega has made the rounds in the media saying that he will prove people wrong who doubted him when he withdrew due to illness at UFC 303. Both men will come in with a full camp for this fight given the last booking was short-notice.
“I think everybody who’s able to do a full camp comes with a different mentality. I think Brian’s coming up ready. I’ve been focused on this fight so I think we’re both ready,” he said.
Both men are currently ranked with Lopes in at #13 and Ortega at #3. It’s not beyond possibility that the winner of this fight could face the winner of Movsar Evloev and Aljamain Sterling in a sort of 4-man tournament for a title shot. Champion Ilia Topuria defends his belt against Max Holloway at UFC 308 later this year.
“I think so. I think it’s the four of us, but I’m fighting the third ranked best fighter. I think the four of us are the guys who are knocking at the door for the title,” he said.
“But it’s not just about going out and fighting those four. It’s also putting on a great show and that’s what I intend to do.”
Another storyline coming out of Noche UFC is Lopes’ teammate Alexa Grasso, the UFC women’s flyweight champ, is defending her title in the co-main event. Lopes has been in her corner since she moved 125 pounds, and has no intention of being absent on Saturday night.
“I know Brian is a great fighter, I’m ready for whatever comes up, but the idea really is to run back to the locker room get changed and go back to corner Alexa,” he said.
Lopes is the only fighter on the roster to have taken part in UFC 300, UFC 303 and now UFC 306. The promotion clearly values his availability and fight style, but he credits his hard work for the recognition from the UFC.
“I think it just proves recognition for all the hard work that we put in,” Lopes told Cageside Press.
“The effort that we’re doing is working and it shows on the cards that are being put on. It’s just recognition of the hard work.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Diego Lopes above. He takes on Brian Ortega at Noche UFC on Saturday night.
