Diego Lopes Explains Move to Lightweight Ahead of Charles Oliveira Fight at UFC 335

Diego Lopes has explained why he is making the jump to lightweight, telling LowKick MMA that a thin featherweight picture left him looking for action elsewhere.

"I lost twice to Volk, I won my last fight at 145, and we don't have a lot of options there right now," Lopes said. "So we made the decision to move to 155 and take some fun fights."

The move comes after Lopes defeated Steve Garcia via second-round knockout at UFC Freedom 250. That performance capped a strong featherweight run, but Lopes sees 155 as a chance to grow physically.

"Now I can do more things. I can take supplements, I can take creatine, I can lift more. I want to feel my power and my strength at 155," Lopes said.

His first test at lightweight is about as tough as it gets. Lopes will challenge BMF titleholder Charles Oliveira in the UFC 335 main event. It is a massive step up in competition, but it is also the kind of high-profile assignment that has defined Lopes's career.

Whether the move is permanent remains an open question. "After this fight we'll see if I stay or go back to 145," Lopes said. The result against Oliveira could settle that debate quickly.