Lopes weighs in for two weight classes at UFC White House to replace Tsarukyan as backup

Diego Lopes arrived at the UFC White House weigh-ins on Saturday prepared to compete in two weight classes, successfully hitting 146 pounds for his featherweight bout against Steve Garcia before returning to the scale at 154 pounds as the emergency backup for the lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.

The move came after originally planned backup Arman Tsarukyan withdrew from the role, opting instead to compete at a wrestling event. Lopes took matters into his own hands, messaging UFC executive Hunter Campbell directly to offer his services — with just one hour to add weight before the weigh-ins concluded.

“When I saw Arman pull out as the backup for the fight, I texted Hunter and said, ‘If you need me, I can serve as the backup,’” Lopes told UFC on TNT Sports. “I got one hour to increase my weight. He said, ‘You sure? Yeah. If you want to do this, go ahead.’”

Should either Topuria or Gaethje be forced out before the main event, Lopes would now stand in line for a lightweight title opportunity — a remarkable position given he is already scheduled to open the card at featherweight.

It is far from the first time Lopes (27-8) has demonstrated this kind of availability for the promotion. The Brazilian made his UFC debut in 2023 on a few days’ notice against Movsar Evloev, absorbing a hard-fought decision loss on short preparation. He then turned around within two months for UFC 303, accepting a change of opponent on hours’ notice.

Tsarukyan’s absence adds another chapter to his complicated relationship with the UFC lightweight title picture. Despite being widely regarded as the division’s top contender, “Ahalkalakets” chose to compete at RAF 10 against Tony Ferguson rather than fulfil the backup role at UFC White House, further delaying his path to a title shot.

Lopes faces Garcia in the UFC White House opener on Sunday, with the Topuria–Gaethje lightweight title fight headlining the card.