Diego Lopes Served as Backup for Topuria–Holloway
On October 11, 2024, Diego Lopes was reported as the backup fighter for Ilia Topuria’s featherweight title defense against Max Holloway at UFC 308. A backup is available if a scheduled fighter cannot compete; the role itself does not guarantee a title shot. The main event went ahead as scheduled on October 26, and Lopes did not compete.
UFC 308: The Main Event Went Ahead
Topuria defended his title by knocking out Holloway at 1:34 of the third round in Abu Dhabi. Because both scheduled fighters made it to the Octagon, Lopes’s backup status did not turn into a fight that night. The result closed the immediate possibility of him stepping in at UFC 308.
Lopes’ Rise Before UFC 308
Lopes entered the event on a five-fight UFC winning streak after losing his short-notice debut to Movsar Evloev. His most recent win was a unanimous decision over Brian Ortega at UFC 306 in September 2024. That run established him as a leading contender, but being selected as a backup was not a promise of a championship booking.
A Later Title Opportunity
Lopes later challenged Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant featherweight title in the main event of UFC 314 on April 12, 2025. Volkanovski won by unanimous decision (48–47, 49–46, 49–46). The bout gave Lopes a title opportunity months after UFC 308, but it was a separate booking rather than an automatic consequence of serving as backup.
Sources
- MMA Junkie — Diego Lopes named UFC 308 backup fighter
- UFC — UFC 308 main card results
- UFC — UFC 306 main card results
- UFC — UFC 314 official scorecards
