Diego Lopes Leapfrogs Movsar Evloev: How The Brazilian Got Title Shot Ahead Of The Latter

Diego Lopes secured the UFC Featherweight Title shot ahead of Movsar Evloev despite losing his first match against him through an impressive series of performances and strategic career moves.

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Winning streak: After his loss to Evloev at UFC 288 in May 2023, Lopes went on a five-fight winning streak, including three finishes.

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Notable victories: Lopes defeated high-profile opponents such as Brian Ortega, Dan Ige, and Sodiq Yusuff, which significantly boosted his standing in the division.

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Activity level: Lopes became one of the most active fighters in the featherweight division, contrasting with Evloev's relative inactivity.

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Opportunistic timing: The title shot opportunity arose when Ilia Topuria vacated the featherweight championship to move up to lightweight.

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UFC's decision: Despite Evloev's undefeated record (19-0), UFC officials chose Lopes for the title shot, likely due to his recent momentum and exciting fighting style.

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Fan appeal: Lopes' willingness to take on challenges and his exciting performances, including a Fight of the Night against Evloev in his debut, likely contributed to his popularity among fans and UFC management.

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The title fight between Diego Lopes and Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship was scheduled for UFC 314 on April 12, 2025, in Miami, Florida.

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