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MMA Junkie Radio #3709: Guests Diego Lopes and Grant Dawson, UFC preview, more

The UFC’s lightweight division is heating up as Diego Lopes prepares to step into the Octagon for his first bout at 155 pounds, facing reigning BMF champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 335 on December 12 in Las Vegas. Lopes, who has primarily competed at featherweight, revealed he was initially offered fights against Dan Hooker and Benoît Saint-Denis before the promotion finalized his showdown with Oliveira for the interim title.

The decision to move Lopes up in weight has drawn attention, with analysts like Robert Whittaker backing the underdog in what promises to be a high-stakes clash at T-Mobile Arena. Meanwhile, the heavyweight division remains a focal point ahead of UFC 335, as Alex Pereira looks to rebound from recent struggles against Sergei Pavlovich, with former champion Chris Weidman and others weighing in on the former’s ability to handle elite power.

Oliveira’s reign as BMF champion begins with this fight, and the UFC’s strategic pairing has sparked debate over whether Lopes—known for his slugfest prowess—is the right opponent to test Oliveira’s skills early in his title defense. The event also features a co-main event between Pereira and Pavlovich, adding another layer of intrigue as the heavyweight division continues to evolve.

With both fights set to take place in December, UFC 335 is shaping up as a must-watch card for fans of both weight classes.

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