Diego Lopes isn’t wasting time addressing critics as he prepares for another shot at the UFC featherweight championship. After earning a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski following a strong rebound performance, the Brazilian contender has been met with pushback from fans and fighters questioning whether he deserved the opportunity so quickly. Lopes, however, has made his position clear: he earned it through action, not talk.

Lopes’ rise inside the UFC has been rapid and highly visible. Entering the promotion as a dangerous submission specialist with a reputation for finishing fights, he quickly became one of the most exciting featherweights on the roster. His aggressive grappling, willingness to stand in the pocket, and relentless pace made him a fan favorite almost immediately. By 2024 and early 2025, Lopes had built a reputation as someone who would take any fight, on any night, and deliver entertainment every time he stepped into the cage.

That mindset led him to a championship opportunity earlier this year. Lopes challenged Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant featherweight title in a five-round main event. The bout was competitive at times, but Volkanovski ultimately walked away with a unanimous decision victory, with the champion’s experience and pressure proving to be the difference on the scorecards. Lopes took the loss without excuses, acknowledging that the better man won that night and emphasizing that he planned to learn from the experience rather than dwell on it.

True to his word, Lopes returned to action determined to prove he remained a top contender. He stepped back into the Octagon for a high-stakes bout against Jean Silva, a rising talent with knockout power and strong momentum of his own. Silva entered the fight with confidence, but Lopes delivered one of the most decisive performances of his UFC career. After a competitive opening, Lopes found his moment in the second round with a perfectly timed spinning elbow that dropped Silva cleanly. A quick follow-up flurry sealed the knockout victory.

The finish was one of the most replayed highlights of the event, and it immediately pushed Lopes back into the conversation at the top of the division. The UFC rewarded his performance with post-fight bonuses and, more importantly, another opportunity to challenge for the championship. The rematch with Volkanovski was officially announced shortly after, setting the stage for a second clash between the two.

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Despite earning his chance through activity and a statement victory, Lopes faced criticism from some corners of the MMA world. Detractors questioned whether others in the division were ahead of him in the pecking order or whether the rematch was too soon. Some suggested he should have had to beat another top-five opponent before earning another opportunity. Lopes responded by pointing to one simple metric: performance. He stayed active, he took risks, and he produced the kind of finish that demands attention.

Lopes has also consistently emphasized that fighting often — and fighting the opponents placed in front of him — is what opened the door to this rematch. He never turned down matchups, he never stepped away after defeat, and he never engaged in long stretches of inactivity. In a division where contenders sometimes sit out while awaiting favorable matchups, Lopes’ willingness to fight quickly after a title loss is part of what elevated him back into the spotlight.

As the rematch approaches, the stakes for Lopes are enormous. A win would not only make him the UFC featherweight champion but also validate his approach to bouncing back after setbacks. For Volkanovski, it’s another chance to defend the belt against a hungry challenger who believes he has made the necessary adjustments since their first meeting. The stylistic matchup remains compelling: Volkanovski’s pressure and experience versus Lopes’ dynamic finishing ability and ever-improving all-around game.

The narrative going into UFC 325 is straightforward. Lopes earned another shot through action, results, and willingness to seize opportunity. Critics may question the timing, but he has made it clear he doesn’t intend to apologize for staying active and capitalizing when momentum swung his way. The rematch will answer the questions, silence doubters if he prevails, and potentially reshape the featherweight landscape.

For now, Diego Lopes is focused entirely on one thing: doing enough in the rematch to walk away with the championship that slipped through his fingers the first time. And as always, he plans to let the work speak louder than the critics.