Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Diego Lopes Calls Out Yair Rodriguez for Ducking Fight Offer for UFC Noche

Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The UFC Featherweight division is heating up as bad blood brews between Diego Lopes and Yair Rodriguez, setting the stage for a potential showdown at Noche UFC. After a fiery altercation at UFC 314 press conference, their rivalry has taken center stage, with Lopes calling for Rodriguez for allegedly dodging a fight. The featherweight class is loaded with talent, with Alexander Volkanovski holding the title, every contender has their eyes set on the ultimate prize, but only a select few may get it, and others won’t. Fans are always eager for high stakes battle, and this feud could deliver the drama and intensity that the fans love to see.

48-47, 49-46, 49-46 #UFC314

Alex Volkanovski beats Diego Lopes by unanimous decision! pic.twitter.com/6kY9vziQRS
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 13, 2025

The featherweight division has seen its own share of drama lately. From Ilia Topuria vacating the belt to move up, to Alexander Volkanovski defeating Diego Lopes to regain the featherweight title that he desperately wanted. Now, with Noche UFC looming right around the corner, the question is whether Rodriguez will step up or if another fighter will seize the spotlight for now.

UFC Noche Showdown in San Antonio

Deigo Lopes (26-7) has accused Yair Rodriguez (20-5) of turning down a fight at UFC Noche, set for September 13, 2025 at Frost Bank Arena in San Antonio, Texas, after a venue switch from Guadalajara, Mexico. Lopes claimed that UFC executive Hunter Campbell offered Rodriguez the matchup, but he declined. Lopes taunted Rodriguez, referencing their heat UFC 314 press conference clash, where they nearly came to blows over a past incident invovling Rodriguez’s friend, who goes by Marco Beltran.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Diego Lopes (@diegolopesmma)

At UFC 314, Lopes took on Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant featherweight title but lost via unanimous decision. Rodriguez, meanwhile, rebounded from a two-fight losing streak by defeating former Bellator champ Patricio Freire. Despite Movsar being amongst the top contenders, Volkanovski hinted that Movsar could be next for a title shot. Lopes won 5 straight fights after a 2023 debut loss against Movsar Evloev, is trying to push for the Rodriguez fight to settle their score once and for all.

Diego Lopes

UFC

UFC Noche

Yair Rodriguez

Eric Divakaran

nba

nfl

mma

I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.