UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes is supremely confident heading into his vacant title shot.
Diego Lopes faces Alexander Volkanovski in the UFC 314 main event just a few days from this writing in Miami. But as he mentally and physically makes his final preparations ahead of fight night, Lopes showcased his confidence in indulging in a questionable fight week meal.
Lopes’s quick ascent up the featherweight ladder resulted in a high-profile main event booking this weekend at UFC 314. After losing his short-notice debut to Movsar Evloev, Lopes has rattled off five consecutive wins, including his most recent victory over former title challenger Brian Ortega in September.
Lopes has to cut an extra pound at Friday’s official weigh-in for his upcoming featherweight title fight. Despite the brutal nature of the cut to 145 lbs, Lopes isn’t remotely concerned about missing weight, as he took a break from cutting to enjoy some comfort food.
Diego Lopes eats junk food just days before the biggest fight of his career
Lopes is alongside his full team at UFC 314 fight week as he prepares for the biggest moment of his combat sports career. To celebrate Lopes’s accomplishments to date, and before UFC 314, Lopes’s coaches bought a stack of pizzas to enjoy the fruits of their labor in camp.
But before eating some pizza amidst his UFC 314 weight cut, Lopes made sure to check in with his nutritionist, who gave him the green light.
During Episode 2 of the UFC 314: Embedded series, Lopes assured his following that he isn’t slacking off ahead of the Volkanovski showdown.
“The guys had some pizza, I had some too,” Lopes said. “My chef said yes and that ‘it’s okay’.”
🍕😋 Diego Lopes eats pizza because his nutritionist allowed him to.
Lopes has never missed weight 🙌
🎥 @ufc pic.twitter.com/9VEi0Bij95— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) April 8, 2025
Diego Lopes eyes rematch with former rival with win at UFC 314
Lopes and Volkanovski will fight for the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314 after Ilia Topuria‘s announced move up to lightweight. A return date and opponent haven’t been announced for Topuria’s next fight at 155 lbs, although Charles Oliveira is a rumored option after a broadcast leak.
As for Lopes, he could potentially face Evloev for the second time with a win at UFC 314. Evloev, undefeated in his UFC career, is likely next for the title shot, as both UFC 314 headliners have acknowledged.
After falling short of a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021, Lopes’s rise to the top of the division has shocked the masses. But Volkanovski is easily the toughest test of his career, despite the former titleholder entering UFC 314 off of back-to-back knockout losses.
Lopes is enjoying the big spotlight of headlining a UFC pay-per-view, and isn’t afraid to enjoy some comfort food in the buildup. Time will tell if Lopes’s questionable pre-fight diet was a mistake.
