Diego Lopes will be back in the Octagon soon, and this time he has a big name standing across from him. He is set to face Charles Oliveira for the BMF title at UFC 335 on December 12. The fight will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. He will be looking to add the BMF title to his growing list of accomplishments. The UFC has now given him the fight he wanted against one of the most dangerous names on the roster. Oliveira gives Lopes the kind of difficult matchup he has been asking for.
Diego Lopes Wanted a Tough Fight
🚨DIEGO LOPES EXPLAINS WHY HE’S MOVING UP TO LIGHTWEIGHT 👀🔥
🗣️ “I lost twice to Volk, I won my last fight at 145, and we don’t have a lot of options there right now. So we made the decision to move to 155 and take some fun fights.”
🗣️ “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.”
👀 Diego says the move may NOT be permanent and he’ll decide whether to stay at lightweight or return to 145 after seeing how his body responds.
📺 Via @arielhelwani 🔹— FightLuck (@FightluckBet) October 6, 2026
Diego Lopes explained why he wanted to share the Octagon with Oliveira. The Brazilian said he is not interested in calling out specific fighters or chasing easier matchups. Instead, he wants fights that can push him forward and give him a chance to face the best. He has also known Oliveira for some time, with the two sharing mutual respect outside the cage. That friendship, however, will not matter once the fight officially gets underway.
“I want fun fights. I want fights that can take me to the next level, and Charles Oliveira is the perfect fight for me,” Lopes said. He added that he wants to fight the toughest opponent whenever the UFC gives him different options. He also said he has always respected Oliveira and has shared moments and pictures with him at events. But once the fight begins, he knows the respect between them will have to take a back seat.
Lopes Believes He Fits the BMF Title
Lopes also believes his style is one of the main reasons he received the opportunity to fight for the BMF championship. The BMF title has traditionally been associated with fighters known for exciting and aggressive performances. Lopes has built a reputation for exactly that throughout his UFC career. He believes the talk about him being a potential BMF fighter started long before this matchup was announced. That is why Diego believes this chance to fight for the title makes sense.
He explained that fans and others have been talking about his connection to the BMF title for a long time. Diego Lopes believes his fighting style is a major reason the UFC decided to give him the opportunity. Now, he will have the chance to prove that he belongs in the BMF conversation against Oliveira. The matchup could give fans another high-level fight between two fighters known for taking risks.
Diego Lopes Looking to Bounce Back Against Oliveira
Lopes enters the fight after two championship losses to Alexander Volkanovski at featherweight. Their first bout was at UFC 314, where Volkanovski winning by unanimous decision. Lopes still had several memorable moments, including dropping Volkanovski with a powerful left hand. He also earned Fight of the Night honors after taking Volkanovski through all five rounds. The result, however, saw Volkanovski claim the vacant featherweight championship.
Both of them booked a rematch at UFC 325, with Volkanovski once again winning by unanimous decision. This time, Volkanovski controlled much of the fight with his movement, jab and distance management. Diego Lopes continued to press forward and looked for submission opportunities, including an armbar attempt late in the fight. Lopes also appeared to suffer injuries during the fight, with both of his feet reportedly breaking as the bout went on. Now, Lopes has moved on from those losses and has a new opportunity waiting against Oliveira.
Final Take
Diego Lopes will now look to put those setbacks behind him when he meets Oliveira in Las Vegas. Oliveira brings his own dangerous skill set and has competed against some of the best fighters in the UFC. Both will have a lot to prove when they enter the Octagon, as the BMF title is at stake. Lopes has made it abundantly clear his intent was for a hard battle, and he has received just that. He will have an opportunity to prove himself against the BMF champion on 12 Dec.
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