Diego Lopes weighs in twice at UFC White House as backup for Topuria-Gaethje title fight

Diego Lopes arrived at Friday’s UFC White House weigh-ins with two jobs to do. The featherweight contender checked in at 146 pounds for his scheduled opener against Steve Garcia, then stepped on the scales a second time at 154 pounds — officially listed by the UFC as a potential alternate for the lightweight title main event between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.

The double weigh-in drew laughter from Lopes and the assembled press, but the UFC confirmed it was no formality. The promotion’s official weigh-in page carried the statement: “Diego Lopes has also weighed-in at 154.0 pounds as a potential alternate in the lightweight division.” Should either undisputed champion Topuria or interim champion Gaethje be unable to compete at Sunday’s historic show in Washington, D.C., Lopes is cleared to step in.

It is not the first time Lopes has found himself at the centre of last-minute fight-week drama. At UFC 303 in June 2024, he was set to face Brian Ortega in the co-main event when illness forced Ortega to withdraw on fight day. Lopes agreed to take on replacement opponent Dan Ige at a 165-pound catchweight with just hours to spare before the card began.

This time, Lopes is the one volunteering for the emergency role rather than reacting to it — positioning himself as a safety net for one of the most high-profile bouts the promotion has staged. Whether he fights once or twice on Sunday, or not at all beyond his scheduled opener, the 29-year-old has made clear he is prepared for any outcome the evening throws at him.