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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mike Bohn

Ilia Topuria sees Diego Lopes as strong candidate for UFC title shot if he beats Brian Ortega

The UFC featherweight division is poised for some potentially significant movement in the final quarter of 2024, and Ilia Topuria is keeping his eyes on everything.

Ahead of Topuria’s (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) scheduled title defense against Max Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) at UFC 308 on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi, a pair of matchups featuring ranked contenders are set to unfold.

Former title challenger Brian Ortega (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) will take on the red-hot Diego Lopes (24-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC) at UFC 306 on Sept. 14, while undefeated Movsar Evloev (18-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) meets former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (24-4 MMA, 16-4 UFC) at UFC 307 on Oct. 5.

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