Diego Lopes, the fighter many wondered if he’d be “too small” for the lightweight division, just revealed a crucial stat: he weighed in at a hefty 175 pounds on fight day for his *last* fight, a featherweight bout. That’s right, he was fighting at 145 pounds but stepping into the cage 30 pounds heavier. And that number changes everything for his upcoming BMF title fight against Charles Oliveira.
This Wasn’t No Guess-And-Check Move to Lightweight, Folks
Look, Lopes’ decision to jump from featherweight to lightweight wasn’t just some spur-of-the-moment thing. He told Hablemos MMA in Spanish that he and his nutritionist did their homework. They tracked how much the top lightweights actually cut and, more importantly, how much weight those guys bounced back on fight day after the official weigh-ins. And what they found? The champion and the top five lightweights typically bounce back to anywhere from 172 to 180 pounds. Now, think about Lopes hitting 175 pounds on fight day for his featherweight KO win over Steve Garcia at UFC Freedom 250 back in June. Even after hitting the bathroom and training, he was sitting at 170-171 pounds! He said himself, “I’m already about average.” This dude was basically a lightweight already, fighting featherweights. That’s wild!
Packing on the Pounds and Ready for the Ultimate Test
Lopes isn’t just relying on past habits, either. He’s been adapting his weight for 155 for “some time now,” and this is the first time he’s doing an entire camp specifically for lightweight. He’s heavier, he’s “doing more,” and get this: he admitted he’d *never lifted weights in his life* before, and now he’s in the gym twice a week, pumping iron! He’s also taking supplements and creatine, really leaning into getting his body right for the heavier division. And when it comes to standing across the cage from other lightweights, Lopes isn’t sweating it. He feels great about his height, saying he’s “one of the tallest fighters in the division,” even noting that out of the top five, he’s “the same height or taller,” with only Pimblett being bigger. Still, he’s smart enough to know there’s a degree of unknown. He wants to see “how my body responds at 155” and “how I adapt.” That’s why he calls Charles Oliveira , a guy long considered one of the bigger lightweights , “the perfect test to see if I belong at 155.”
So get ready, fight fans! Diego Lopes is stepping up to lightweight for the BMF title bout against Charles Oliveira at UFC 335 on December 12. This isn’t just a jump; it’s a calculated move years in the making. We’re about to find out if all that prep, all that weight gain, and all that new gym time pays off big time against a true lightweight monster. You won’t want to miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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