Diego Lopes' executioner eyes Topuria's title and says Alexander Volkanovski is a thing of the past

M. Evloev (left) defeated Diego lopes (dir) in 2023. Photo: Reproduction/X

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Executioner of the Brazilian naturalized Mexican Diego lopes, Movsar Evloev enters the octagon at the T-Mobile Arena this Saturday (7), in Las Vegas (USA), in a fight on the preliminary card of UFC 310 against aljamain sterling, in the featherweight category (up to 65,7 kg). Despite not having suffered much hype, the Russian has never been defeated, either outside or inside the organization, when he started in 2019. There are 18 victories that placed him in fifth place in the category ranking.

With an cartel like this, Evloev believes he deserves a shot at the belt he Ilia Topuria conquered by defeating Alexander Volkanovsky in February of this year in UFC 298. In fact, the Russian thinks that a rematch between 'El Matador' and the Australian fighter is not a good idea. That's what he said during a press conference at Media Day, this Wednesday (4). There was even some left for Max Holloway, who was defeated by Topuria in a title fight at UFC 308.

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“I don’t think it’s a good idea for [Topuria] to fight Volkanovski again. Volkanovski is a legend, but he’s done, and Max Holloway also. They were good fighters for a long time, but time has passed. New blood is here, so let me prove that I am a champion,” he said.

Topuria's title fight victories have come against two of the best featherweights of all time who have become perennial fan favorites with their spectacular performances. Despite being undefeated, Evloev has yet to inspire the same kind of fervor in the MMA community, perhaps because he has won all eight of his UFC fights by decision.

“Everybody talking about finishing, finishing. Okay, if you need to finish, try to finish me. So, I think for this fight, I’m going to do something. We’ve been preparing for this for almost a year since I won my fight in January and this guy is a good opponent to do what I’m trying to do,” he revealed.

As much as he feels he deserves a title shot, Evloev prioritizes staying active above all else. If the Russian has to fight again before facing Topuria, he'll be happy to do so.

“I have been waiting for this fight for almost a year. So if they don’t let me fight for the title, please give me someone in two months after this fight. I am already 30 years old, so I need to fight often, because in the last two years I have not fought often, so I need more fights. My time is going to run out, so it is good for my career. Diego lopes, Volkanovski, Holloway, anyone before they let me fight for the title,” he concluded.

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