Jorge Masvidal Suggests Alternative to Diego Lopes for UFC 335 Headliner

The OG BMF title holder, Jorge Masvidal, has weighed in on the upcoming UFC 335 headliner, where Charles Oliveira will be defending the BMF title against Diego Lopes. 

Speaking on the matchmaking during an episode of the Deep Waters podcast, Masvidal said, "I don't like Lopes; his first fight at '55 against Oliveira for the BMF belt. I would have liked to see him in one fight and then fight Charles, because Charles has done so much in the f*cking sport and at 155. Lopes has done a lot of cool sh*t, as well, too. I'm not going to hate on him, but I didn't think he'd be the guy to challenge Oliveira for the BMF belt. There's a couple of guys. I would have said run Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira for both belts or something like that maybe."

Whilst the Gaethje rematch would be an entertaining one for fans, the UFC clearly have different ideas for how they are going to matchmake the new lightweight champion.

As for the specific fight itself, Masvidal commented on the durability that Oliveira will have heading into the fight. The Brazilian former lightweight champion has had 36 UFC fights and 49 MMA fights, has had some brutal weight cuts and taken a lot of damage along the way. Lopes, on the other hand, is relatively fresh. He hasn't been finished since 2018, won't have to cut as much weight as he makes his lightweight debut and has been in fewer wars than Oliveira.

"Less milage on Diego. I think Charles is more well rounded, has more threats – his elbows, his knees. But I think Charles has way more miles than Diego. He has a little bit more miles on the chin, and Diego is pretty fresh. ... But if Charles could open up with knees and high kicks right away, I think he can neutralize him right off him. Maybe he can get a stoppage."

The former BMF champion, Masvidal also gave his prediction for the fight "I want to go with Charles, but I feel like they're trying to set up Diego and get him that."