In a revealing interview, UFC featherweight Diego Lopes has shared significant news about a major policy shift within the promotion regarding championship opportunities.
According to Lopes, the UFC has made it clear to all champions that they will no longer grant immediate title shots in other divisions to create simultaneous double champions.
“They were very clear with others. They said they wouldn’t be giving chances to those who are playing around from division to division,” Lopes explained. “If you want to move up a division, you have to vacate the current title.”
The Brazilian elaborated that this new approach means the era of concurrent two-division champions appears to be coming to an end. However, athletes can still achieve double-champion status – just not simultaneously.
“If you’re going to be a double champion, you’ll be nothing more than a champion of two divisions,” he said. “But I think, you know, ultimately it’s everyone’s decision. If they feel they have nothing left to do in their division, well, they should move forward with their career.”
Lopes also addressed the depth of talent in his own division, suggesting there are still plenty of compelling matchups to be made. “I know we have very good competitors in the division who could give very good performances. We could even cause serious problems and win too.”
He concluded by acknowledging that some champions might feel their work is complete after defeating certain opponents: “If they feel that after beating Max and Volk, who are two legends of the category, their work is done, that’s fine, it’s their right. Well, they should move forward.”
This policy change could significantly impact the landscape of UFC championships and how champions approach their career trajectories moving forward.
