Diego Lopes or Brian Ortega? Volkanovski analyzes UFC 303 co-main fight and names favorite

Diego lopes He is currently 14th in the featherweight rankings. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @diegolopesmma

Main Brazilian promise in featherweight (up to 65,7 kg), Diego lopes faces the biggest challenge of his career this Saturday (29), when he faces the former title challenger Brian ortega in the co-main event of UFC 303. Former champion and executioner of Ortega in the past, Alexander Volkanovsky gave his opinion on the confrontation.

In a video published on his official YouTube channel, Volkanovski, who defeated Brian ortega in a title fight in 2021, praised the level of Diego lopes in the stand-up fight, but it also highlighted the North American's absorption capacity.

“Diego’s striking is on another level, but Ortega’s chin, you can tire him, hurt him, but I don’t know if it turns off his lights. I don't see that happening. From my own experience and from what I've seen, he has a jaw made of granite. I think this nullifies Lopes' knockout power. It will be interesting standing up. Ortega is also skilled at striking,” he analyzed.

Lastly, Alexander Volkanovsky foresees a balanced duel in the co-main fight of the UFC 303, but with slight favoritism towards his former rival.

“Who do I bet on? Lopes is the favorite. Lopes is good, man. This will be the first time I go against Lopes. Ortega's durability. There will be three rounds. Will I go with Lopes? I think he'll land more strikes while standing and be more aggressive, but I don't think he'll knock him out, because Ortega's chin is legit. I'm going with the underdog on this one. I have a lot of respect for Lopes and I know he will come with everything, but I'm betting on Ortega”, he concluded.

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