Joanderson Brito was the primary man to defeat Diego Lopes contained in the octagon, when each clashed for a UFC contract at Dana White’s Contender Collection in August 2021. Since then, Brito watched Lopes skyrocket to the highest of the featherweight division with what he sees as the advantage of a promotional push.
Brito defeated Lopes through technical choice – 29-28 on all scorecards – after an unintentional eye poke left Lopes unable to proceed within the closing spherical. Brito was awarded a UFC deal and later misplaced his debut towards Invoice Algeo, however he has rebounded with 5 straight UFC finishes, together with wins over Andre Fili and Jack Shore. Lopes went 2-1 on the regional circuit to lastly earn a shot within the UFC, stepping in on lower than every week’s discover to struggle Movsar Evloev at UFC 288.
Though Brito thinks Lopes “may be very powerful,” he doesn’t see his fellow Brazilian beating 145-pound champion Ilia Topuria.
“The way in which the UFC is reserving him, it’s attainable that he fights for the title,” Brito stated in an interview with MMA Preventing, “However should you actually put him towards [Max] Holloway, Arnold Allen and even Movsar Evloev, it can make his run tough. However the UFC doesn’t need that for him. It’s all about wanting or not, proper?”
Lopes has received 5 in a row since shedding to Evloev, going 3-0 alone this 12 months towards Sodiq Yusuff, Dan Ige, and Brian Ortega. Brito reenters the cage Saturday to face William Gomis on the principle card portion of UFC Paris.
“Even when I win, and I’ll win earlier than the tip of the second spherical, I truthfully don’t suppose they’ll do that [Lopes rematch],” Brito stated. “Everyone is aware of what’s going to occur [at UFC Paris]. I do know, you understand. Even Gomis is aware of. When it occurs, [Gomis] will understand he wasn’t prepared for this. However even then, even after I win one other one, UFC received’t give me Diego. I’ve seen that occur many instances earlier than within the UFC, however eventually, this struggle will occur if he stays on prime. If he continues profitable, this struggle will occur, as a result of I do know I’ll get there. It’s a matter of time.”
Brito stated he would beat the undefeated Topuria “at any second,” however doesn’t really feel Lopes can do the identical. “Tubarão,” nevertheless, doesn’t anticipate Topuria to be holding UFC gold after he faces Holloway subsequent month at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.
“I believe Holloway is the hardest featherweight immediately due to his chin,” Brito stated. “He can get hit. Aside from him, I see Movsar Evloev as a troublesome man as a result of he doesn’t struggle, he simply hangs in there to win by factors. Aside from him, I see nobody else.”
Brito referred to as out Dan Ige a number of instances previously and was lastly paired up towards him earlier this 12 months earlier than withdrawing from the match with a leg damage. He additionally focused Brian Ortega following his UFC 301 victory over Shore in Might. With Lopes defeating each featherweights in June and September, Brito has moved on from these callouts.
“When you lose to Lopes, it is senseless to me anymore,” Brito stated. “I plan on asking for Yair Rodriguez. I don’t understand how the UFC sees this struggle, however that’s one I’d love to do. He’s been within the prime 5 for a very long time and this struggle makes numerous sense proper now. It will be excellent for me.”
“Many individuals say I ought to struggle somebody ranked [instead of Gomis], that I ought to have accomplished this or that, however in the long run, crucial of all is cash within the financial institution,” he continued. “It’s not my fault. I’m calling out ranked fighters for a very long time. I let my fights do the speaking. I’ve received 5 in a row, all by end, however the UFC isn’t giving me the chance. I don’t know what else I’ve obtained to do, however I don’t lose sleep over this. I simply must struggle, and I hope I can struggle another earlier than the tip of the 12 months. It’s all about timing. Some guys simply obtained right here and have all of the hype, however truthfully, I don’t care about any of that. I simply must struggle.”
