After the UFC booked Diego Lopes’ upcoming bout, Lopes has been facing backlash from the MMA community and fighters. Now, the Brazilian has urged other contenders to stop complaining.
The 30-year-old, who is now the number two-ranked featherweight contender, faced Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant 145-pound strap earlier this year at UFC 314 and lost by decision. After that loss, Lopes returned to winning ways by knocking out Jean Silva in September.
The MMA community had assumed that the number four-ranked 145-pounder Lerone Murphy, who knocked out Aaron Pico earlier this year at UFC 319, would be fighting champion Volkanovski next, or it would be the undefeated Movsar Evloev.