Ilia Topuria sees Diego Lopes as strong candidate for UFC title shot if he beats Brian Ortega

The UFC featherweight division is poised for some potentially significant movement in the final quarter of 2024, and Ilia Topuria is keeping his eyes on everything.

Ahead of Topuria’s (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) scheduled title defense against Max Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) at UFC 308 on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi, a pair of matchups featuring ranked contenders are set to unfold.

Former title challenger Brian Ortega (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) will take on the red-hot Diego Lopes (24-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC) at UFC 306 on Sept. 14, while undefeated Movsar Evloev (18-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) meets former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (24-4 MMA, 16-4 UFC) at UFC 307 on Oct. 5.

It is widely expected that Alexander Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) will challenge the winner between Topuria and Holloway, but as the queue forms behind him, the reigning champion named Lopes as the most compelling name of the bunch.

“Of course, Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes (is the more likely title eliminator),” Topuria told MMA Junkie. “I love the attitude that Diego Lopes brings. He’s always respectful with me, so I like the attitude that he has with me. If he wins, maybe he’s the next one in the line.”

Topuria, 27, made it clear that he is not concerned about which name the UFC brings him. He is ready to clear out the division and said he would be ready to take on all comers with a victory over Holloway at UFC 308, which he has boldly predicted to end by first-round knockout in his favor.

“To be honest, I don’t know,” Topuria said. “Maybe it’s Volkanovski. Maybe it’s Diego Lopes. Maybe it’s Brian Ortega. But I don’t care. It’s going to be worse for them when they’re going to get the call and they’re going to notice that they’re going to have to face me. It’s going to be a difficult night for them.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.