UFC:
It’s a tale as old as time. Weight cutting is horrible, especially for a fighters internal organs. And if any organization, or commission for that matter; truly cared about “their athletes” well being, they’d put an end to it on a dime. Period. Ask an athlete who is moving up how they feel, you get the same answer all the time. “Absolutely fantastic”. Well in the span of less than 96-hours Diego Lopes is proving he’s blazing an interesting path early in his UFC run.
The present featherweight showed as good as he looked at 145, he looks even better two divisions higher. Post UFC303 he said he wanted on The Sphere card. He’d also like a Top-5 opponent. For his part in helping “save” the pay-per-view, Dana White said he could just about write his own ticket.
Now, does he deserve, or can he hang with a Top-5? We don’t know, he hasn’t even been in the octagon with a Top-10 yet for that matter. So perhaps we need some baby steps here. But make no mistake about it, this kid is beyond talented. Both on the ground offensively and throwing leather.
But there are things that need to be worked on. He spends a bit too much time on his back. His jiu jitsu is good, but not great. And if we’re being completely honest, his footwork could be better. He also relies more on defense than offense. And a power offense is what wins you rounds. But again, the tip top of divisions show why there are levels to this stuff. They can find pinhole size holes in his game.
Blazing An Interesting Path… At What Weight
Physically looking and crispness he could fit at 170. But welterweights might just be too big and strong for him. Unless he tip-toed into the pool versus someone like a Neil Magny or a Geoff Neal. They would truly test his legs and chin. A scrap with Aljamain Sterling would show who’s better on the canvas.
Should he really want to suck himself back down to featherweight, rebooking Brian Ortega is one way to go. Which would show where his jiu jitsu really ranks. Giving Lopes a full camp this time against Movsar Evloev is another. Although, for as tough as he is… he doesn’t have a finish in his eight UFC fights.
There’s a sweet spot here. Lightweight. Israel Adesanya, has pushed for Dan Hooker to be added to the UFC305 card. And that is the perfect opponent. Hooker is durable, but Lopes’ standup would give the Australian issues. And the road to a championship would be littered with the more memorable fights. Creating a more colorful legacy for the LOBO-GYM product; who’ve helped him become a more ferocious fighter.
Is 155 the easiest way to glory for him? No,… that would be featherweight. But as JOHN F KENNEDY once said, “…and do other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard…”.
Sports news can be found at: Belly Up Sports, and to see everything CYCLONE, click on: Facebook.
