At the UFC White House event’s official weigh-ins, featherweight contender Diego Lopes made history by successfully weighing in for two distinct weight classes. He first made championship weight for his scheduled featherweight bout against the in-form Steve Garcia, who boasts a seven-fight winning streak. Both fighters successfully tipped the scales at 146 pounds, confirming their matchup for June 14.
Following his initial weigh-in, Lopes stepped onto the scales a second time, this time registering 154 pounds. This second weigh-in was a strategic move, as the UFC’s official resources indicated Lopes’ potential as an alternate in the lightweight division. Consequently, Diego Lopes was designated as the official backup fighter for the main event.
The main event at UFC Freedom 250 is a lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. Initially, Arman Tsarukyan was slated to be the primary backup. However, Tsarukyan had previously stated his conditions for officially weighing in, requiring ample notice to make the championship weight. He also indicated that should an injury occur to either Topuria or Gaethje in the final four days before the fight, he would step in, but likely at a catchweight rather than the 155-pound limit due to the short notice.
As it turned out, Tsarukyan’s services were not required for the main event backup, and he is scheduled to face Tony Ferguson at another event. To ensure contingency for the main event, the UFC permitted Diego Lopes to weigh in twice. If Lopes were to be called upon as an eleventh-hour replacement for the main event, his original opponent, Steve Garcia, would not compete on the South Lawn of the White House. However, Garcia would still receive his contracted fight purse.
English Translation:
At the UFC White House event’s official weigh-ins, featherweight contender Diego Lopes made history by successfully weighing in for two distinct weight classes. He first made championship weight for his scheduled featherweight bout against the in-form Steve Garcia, who boasts a seven-fight winning streak. Both fighters successfully tipped the scales at 146 pounds, confirming their matchup for June 14.
Following his initial weigh-in, Lopes stepped onto the scales a second time, this time registering 154 pounds. This second weigh-in was a strategic move, as the UFC’s official resources indicated Lopes’ potential as an alternate in the lightweight division. Consequently, Diego Lopes was designated as the official backup fighter for the main event.
The main event at UFC Freedom 250 is a lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. Initially, Arman Tsarukyan was slated to be the primary backup. However, Tsarukyan had previously stated his conditions for officially weighing in, requiring ample notice to make the championship weight. He also indicated that should an injury occur to either Topuria or Gaethje in the final four days before the fight, he would step in, but likely at a catchweight rather than the 155-pound limit due to the short notice.
As it turned out, Tsarukyan’s services were not required for the main event backup, and he is scheduled to face Tony Ferguson at another event. To ensure contingency for the main event, the UFC permitted Diego Lopes to weigh in twice. If Lopes were to be called upon as an eleventh-hour replacement for the main event, his original opponent, Steve Garcia, would not compete on the South Lawn of the White House. However, Garcia would still receive his contracted fight purse.