Diego Lopes became one of the biggest stories from the UFC Freedom 250 weigh-ins after stepping onto the scale twice ahead of Sunday’s historic event at the White House.
The Brazilian featherweight first officially weighed 146 pounds, making his scheduled bout against Steve Garcia official. Later during the weigh-ins, Lopes returned to the scale and registered 154 pounds, confirming his role as the official emergency backup for the lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.
Why Did Diego Lopes Weigh In Twice?
The UFC designated Lopes as the backup fighter for the night’s main event.
After successfully making the featherweight limit for his own contest, Lopes rehydrated before weighing in again at 154 pounds. The second weigh-in allows him to step in should either Topuria or Gaethje be forced to withdraw before Sunday’s championship fight.
The unusual procedure drew laughs from reporters in attendance but was later confirmed by the UFC, making Lopes the official alternate for the lightweight title fight.
Diego Lopes Ready for Any Opportunity
This isn’t the first time Lopes has embraced fight-week uncertainty.
At UFC 303, Lopes accepted a last-minute change after Brian Ortega withdrew because of illness. Rather than cancel the bout, Lopes agreed to face Dan Ige in a catchweight contest on only a few hours’ notice.
Now, the Brazilian has once again placed himself in position to save a major UFC event if needed.
Why Arman Tsarukyan Isn’t the Backup
Arman Tsarukyan had previously been considered as a potential alternate for the main event.
However, Tsarukyan was unavailable after competing at RAF 10 in St. Louis, where he defeated former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson in a freestyle wrestling match.
With Tsarukyan no longer available, the UFC selected Lopes as its emergency replacement.
UFC Freedom 250 Main Event Still Official
Both championship fighters successfully made weight on Saturday.
- Ilia Topuria: 155 pounds
- Justin Gaethje: 155 pounds
Unless something changes before fight night, Lopes is expected to compete against Steve Garcia in the opening bout of UFC Freedom 250.
A Rare Moment in UFC History
Backup fighters are common for championship bouts, but it is highly unusual for a competitor already scheduled to fight earlier on the same card to also serve as the official replacement for the main event.
For now, Lopes remains focused on Steve Garcia while staying ready for the call should the UFC need him later in the evening.
With both weigh-ins complete, the Brazilian has positioned himself for one of the most unique roles on one of the most historic cards in UFC history.
