Diego Lopes insists he has nothing but respect for Aussie fight fans — but says that won’t stop him from leaving Alexander Volkanovski unconscious in Sydney early next year.
The 29-year-old Brazilian powerhouse is currently gearing up for a blockbuster rematch at UFC 325 on February 1, where Volkanovski will defend his belt on home soil for the first time at Qudos Bank Arena.
Their first encounter at UFC 314 in Miami last April ended in a unanimous-decision loss for Lopes, and now revenge is all he can think about.
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“One hundred percent! [it’s about revenge],” he told Fox Sports Australia.
“I look for this. I’ll take the belt. Volk is a great threat and a great guy too – but this is my mission: fly to Australia and take the belt for myself.”
Lopes kept Volkanovski on his toes in their first clash, though the Aussie managed to survive a knockdown and outland him over five rounds.
Since then, Lopes has studied every detail and promises he’ll step into the Octagon a transformed fighter next time around.
“Now I’m a different guy and I’ve got more experience too,” he explained.
“I didn’t have the experience of fighting five rounds or fighting for the belt. Now I feel completely different. I don’t have the pressure [from before].
“It’s completely different for me now.”
The call to run it back hasn’t come without some backlash. Critics say Lopes didn’t do enough to earn another crack at the belt, arguing more proven contenders – including Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy – were skipped.
Even Volkanovski admitted he was a little surprised with the decision.
Lopes, though, has shrugged off the noise, saying he’s still the biggest threat to “The Great”.
“Many people think different,” he grinned.
“But if you look at the top five in the division, I’m the most exciting guy…
“This is no disrespect for Movsat or Murphy, but I’m the most dangerous guy for Volk now.
“The UFC knows this.”
He’s also urged doubters to take a look at his stunning knockout of Jean Silva before dismissing his credentials.
“Before my last fight I knew I had to prove myself again for a title shot,” he said.
“I won my last fight with a great knockout and put my name on the table, the UFC have 1765465211 given me the chance. I’ve been waiting for this.”
Lopes’s striking remains his biggest weapon, with a KO threat that can flip a fight on its head in seconds. Volkanovski survived it once, but Lopes says it won’t happen a second time. And if he doesn’t KO him, he will get him by submission.
“The plan is to knock him out, but Volk is tough,” said Lopes.
“One mistake I made from the last fight is only looking for the knockout…
“This time it’s different. My plan is knocking him out, or takedown and submission. My goal is to finish this fight in any way.
He added: “I want to finish this fight to prove that I deserve the title.”
For Volkanovski, it’s a long-awaited home defence of his title, and Sydney is expected to deliver a rowdy atmosphere.
Lopes says he’s not at all rattled by the prospect.
“I’m OK with this – trust me,” he laughed.
“I’m from Brazil. I moved to Mexico ten years ago. My whole fighting career has been in enemy territory. It’s OK, I’m excited.
“When the UFC said I was fighting Volk in Australia I said I’m excited for this. I like the people supporting their hometown guy.”
And if he spoils the party?
“I hope the people understand that this is my job.”
Lopes’ flowing mullet with moustache has become a signature look inside the Octagon, turning him into an unlikely fashion icon over the last couple of years.
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He wonders if he might already have won over some Aussie fans with it.
“Maybe I’ll have many people on my side because of my similar style to the guys from Australia,” he laughed.
“The moustache, the mullet. Maybe, I don’t know.”
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