Diego Lopes promises a war with Charles Oliveira for the BMF title at UFC 335

Diego Lopes says he wants a slugfest when he challenges Charles Oliveira for the BMF belt in the main event of UFC 335 on December 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Speaking to MMA Fighting in an interview published on October 12, the Brazilian said he hopes Oliveira comes in aggressive. "Let's see who goes down first," Lopes said with a laugh.

The fight, announced by the UFC on October 4, will be Lopes' UFC lightweight debut and headlines the promotion's final numbered card of 2026. In the co-main event, Alex Pereira vs Sergei Pavlovich is set at heavyweight.

"That's exactly what I want"

Oliveira won the BMF title at UFC 326 in March with a five-round unanimous decision over Max Holloway. His grappling-heavy approach in that fight drew criticism from some fighters, fans and UFC CEO Dana White. Lopes suggested Oliveira, who holds the record for most post-fight bonuses in UFC history, might come out overaggressive to make up for it.

"I hope so," Lopes said. "I hope he does come in with that mindset, because that's exactly what I want. I want to get in there and throw down."

Lopes, who has earned seven bonuses in 10 UFC appearances, said he feels little pressure to change his style. "Regardless of how my previous fights have gone, even in fights I've lost, I've always looked to engage and tried to turn the fight into a real war," he said. "If the guy on the other side is willing to do the same, you can be sure it's going to be a war."

The toughest test of his career

Lopes has faced Alexander Volkanovski, Movsar Evloev, Jean Silva and Brian Ortega, but called Oliveira "definitely" the toughest matchup of his MMA career. "He's a guy who can knock you out and submit you, too," he said, adding that he is training specifically to avoid mistakes on the ground.

According to Lopes, the first offer to move up to 155 pounds came after he knocked out Steve Garcia at UFC White House. He said the UFC first discussed a UFC Paris headliner against Dan Hooker and later Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 344 before settling on Oliveira for the BMF belt.

Lopes said he now walks around at about 180 pounds, roughly 15 pounds heavier than he would normally be two months out from a featherweight cut.

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Lightweight champion Justin Gaethje will not defend his belt in 2026, MMA Fighting noted. Lopes said he is unsure a win would earn him a title shot, but would welcome a BMF defense against Gaethje. He did not rule out a future return to featherweight, saying the priority is to keep winning.

Lopes' only UFC losses have come against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev.