Recently, one name that has taken the spotlight more than anyone else is Diego Lopes.
Despite losing his first title fight against former champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 314, the UFC has booked him for another title shot at UFC 325.
This move has confused many fans. Questions have started circulating online:
- Why is Diego Lopes getting another title opportunity so quickly?
- Is it fair to the other contenders waiting in the rankings?
The truth is, the UFC’s decision is not random. There are clear business reasons, fan-demand reasons, and competitive reasons behind this booking.
Diego Lopes is not just another contender, he is one of the biggest rising stars in the UFC, and the company knows exactly what they are doing.
1. Diego Lopes Has Become a Massive Fan Favorite
The number one reason behind this quick title shot is simple: Diego Lopes is extremely popular right now.
In the modern UFC era, popularity matters as much as skill. Diego Lopes became a breakout star through:
- His exciting fight style
- His willingness to take short-notice fights
- His relatable personality
- His emotional walkouts and fan interactions
- His strong connection with Mexican and Latin American audiences
Fans genuinely enjoy watching him fight. Even in the loss against Volkanovski, he won hearts with his aggression, toughness, and never-quit attitude.
From a promotional perspective, the UFC sees Diego Lopes as a major attraction, and attractions get title shots especially when they can sell out arenas, boost PPV buys, and gain momentum for the division.
2. Mexico Is Becoming a Huge Market for the UFC
Another major factor behind the decision is the UFC’s focus on building its presence in Mexico.
Over the last few years, the UFC has heavily invested in:
- The UFC Performance Institute in Mexico
- Mexican talent development
- Mexican champions such as Brandon Moreno, Alexa Grasso, and Yair Rodriguez
- Hosting events in Latin America
Right now, Diego Lopes is one of the most popular Mexican fighters in the entire roster. His fights generate massive reactions, and his fan base is growing at a speed the UFC can’t ignore.
Putting him in the main event at UFC 325 guarantees:
- High ticket sales
- Strong PPV numbers
- Increased merchandise purchases
- More attention from Spanish-speaking sports media
- Growth of the UFC brand in the Mexican market
From a business standpoint, the UFC knows that Diego Lopes fighting for the title creates a bigger global impact than giving the shot to a less-recognized contender.
3. UFC Favors Fighters Who Create Excitement, Not Just Fighters With Winning Records
The UFC has always prioritized entertaining fighters over strictly undefeated fighters. History proves this:
- Justin Gaethje got multiple high-placement fights because of his style
- Nate Diaz got major fights because fans love him
- Jorge Masvidal received title shots during peak popularity
- Conor McGregor fought for belts due to star power
The same logic applies to Diego Lopes.
While there are technically other contenders in line, none of them create the same excitement or audience engagement. The UFC wants headliners who bring energy, hype, and electricity to fight week.
Diego Lopes fits that requirement perfectly.
Even though he lost a close fight to Volkanovski, the match was competitive enough that fans still believe he is capable of becoming champion.
The UFC wants fun title fights, and Diego Lopes guarantees action every time he steps inside the cage.
4. The UFC Does Not Want a Champion With Low Marketability
A sensitive but very real reason behind this matchmaking is the UFC’s hesitation to make Movsar Evloev the champion right now.
Movsar Evloev is an elite fighter. His wrestling, IQ, and consistency make him one of the toughest featherweights in the world. But there is a major issue:
Evloev has almost no mainstream fan following.
He wins fights, but they are usually slow, tactical, and decision-heavy. The UFC knows that if Movsar becomes champion:
- PPV sales won’t increase
- The division’s excitement may drop
- Fans may lose interest in title fights
- Marketing future events becomes much harder
A champion must be more than skilled he must draw crowds. Diego Lopes is much more valuable to the UFC in this regard.
By giving Diego another shot, the UFC increases the chances of having a fan-favorite champion, which helps keep the division alive and profitable.
5. Diego Lopes Gave Volkanovski a Very Competitive First Fight
Despite the loss at UFC 314, Diego Lopes did not embarrass himself. In fact, he surprised a lot of people by giving Volkanovski:
- Competitive exchanges
- Smart striking moments
- A few close submission attempts
- A high-pace performance from start to finish
Many fans believed Diego Lopes did better than expected, especially against one of the greatest featherweights of all time.
Because the fight was close and exciting, the UFC can easily sell the rematch as:
- A second chance for a fan favorite
- A fight where the challenger already proved he belongs
- An opportunity for Diego to adjust and possibly win
- A storyline of redemption
This narrative is extremely marketable.
6. UFC Needs Fresh Title Contenders After Topuria Vacated the Belt
When Ilia Topuria vacated the belt, the featherweight rankings were suddenly shaken.
Most contenders:
- Were coming off losses
- Were inactive
- Had scheduling issues
- Didn’t bring enough star power
Diego Lopes was the best available option because:
- He was active
- He was healthy
- He was popular
- He delivered a great fight previously
- The storyline was still fresh
Simply put, the UFC needed an exciting name to fill the title slot, and Diego Lopes was the perfect answer.
7. Diego Lopes Fits the Current UFC Business Model
The UFC is not just a sports organization; it is a business focused on:
- PPV sales
- Ticket sales
- Market expansion
- Global branding
- Social media metrics
Diego Lopes checks every box:
- Large social media following
- Engaging personality
- Viral moments
- Memorable appearances
- High fan engagement
- A strong Mexican and American fan base
The UFC knows that Diego can carry a main event and draw both casual and hardcore fans.
8. The UFC Wants a Champion Who Can Headline Events Worldwide
A champion is not only someone who defends the belt, he is someone who can sell the tickets.
Diego Lopes is:
- Charismatic
- Media-friendly
- Fluent in English and Spanish
- Comfortable with press appearances
- Easy for reporters and broadcasters to market
If he becomes champion, he can headline events in:
- Mexico
- USA
- Brazil
- Latin America
- Possibly Europe
This global flexibility is extremely important for the UFC.
9. Diego Lopes Is Still Improving and Has Massive Potential
Another underrated reason is Diego’s potential. Despite being a contender for a short time, he has shown tremendous improvement each fight:
- Better striking combinations
- Sharper timing
- Cleaner footwork
- Improved wrestling
- Increased cardio
The UFC sees him as a long-term investment, someone who could become a star and hold the division for years if he keeps evolving.
Giving him another title shot now is a way to accelerate his career and capitalize on his momentum.
10. The First Fight Created the Perfect Setup for a Rematch
Sometimes the best fights are those with unfinished business. Diego Lopes vs. Volkanovski created:
- Suspense
- Drama
- A competitive storyline
- Respect between fighters
- Curiosity about a different outcome
Fans enjoy rematches when there is a reason behind them. Diego’s strong performance gave the UFC just enough justification to book a second fight without controversy.
Conclusion: UFC’s Decision to Give Diego Lopes Another Title Fight Makes Sense
Even though some fans may feel the decision is unexpected or unfair to certain ranked fighters, the UFC operates on excitement, business strategy, and fan engagement.
Diego Lopes is:
- A massive fan favorite
- A marketable star
- One of the most exciting fighters in the division
- A key figure for the UFC’s expansion in Mexico
- Someone who gave a tough fight against an all-time great
For these reasons, the UFC believes Diego Lopes deserves another chance and UFC 325 could become the moment he finally fulfills his championship dream.
Whether he wins or loses, one thing is clear:
The UFC trusts Diego Lopes as one of the new faces of the featherweight division.
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