Reserve in title fight, Diego Lopes reveals whether he prefers to face Ilia Topuria or Max Holloway

Diego lopes after victory in UFC 306 (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

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The name of Diego lopes does not appear on the official card UFC 308. Still, the Brazilian based in Mexico is preparing to fight for the featherweight belt (up to 65,7 kg) at the event on October 26, in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, as he was chosen as the official reserve for the dispute between Ilia Topuria e Max Holloway.

With just over a week left until the event, Diego lopes has already decided who he prefers to face between the champion and the challenger.

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“I would definitely prefer to fight Ilia (Topuria) for the linear title. It would be amazing. We've already analyzed everything. We sat down to analyze both fighters. People might take it the wrong way and think I'm just talking out of my ass, but I think for me a fight against Topuria would be a better match for my style,” Diego said in a recent interview with 'MMA Junkie'.

In the opinion of Diego lopes, a duel against Ilia Topuria would be more open than against Max Holloway, which would require more complex and specific preparation.

“It’s a fight that fits me. Against Max it would be a fight in which we would need to set up a more complex strategy, without mistakes. Against Topuria as well, but I think things would be more favorable for me because I like to exchange and I hit hard. I have knockout power. Since Ilia throws punches with everything and so do I, we can say that it would be a shootout and we’ll see who falls first. So the fight against Ilia definitely suits my style better”, he analyzed.

Although I prefer to face Ilia Topuria, Diego lopes believe that Max Holloway has a great chance of winning back the featherweight belt against the Georgian on the night of the 26th.

“I still give Holloway an advantage because of all the experience he has in the Octagon and the fighters he has faced. He has never been knocked out, but we know that anything can happen and Ilia has power in his hands. Still, I see an advantage for Max,” he concluded.