What’s the Deal with Diego Lopes and Yair Rodriguez?
The UFC 314 press conference was certainly one to watch. With prominent personalities showcased such as Paddy Pimblett, Jean Silva, and Bryce Mitchell, there was zero doubt that verbal attacks and jibes would occur. However, the most notable interaction came between two featherweight fighters on the card, who weren’t fighting each other. Diego Lopes and Yair Rodriguez got into a surprisingly intense confrontation during the press conference which resulted in the two fighters being separated by security. Here’s all we know about the bad blood between Diego Lopes and Yair Rodriguez.
The verbal altercation started when a reporter asked Diego Lopes if he would fight Yair Rodríguez at the next UFC Noche event. The event takes place in Guadalajara, Mexico, which is of note because both fighters represent the country of Mexico. Rodríguez has discussed his problem with Lopes representing Mexico since Lopes is from Brazil. After Lopes responded to the reporter by asking how many losses Rodriguez was coming off of, the altercation reached a fever pitch, with UFC security becoming involved.
After Yair Rodríguez responded to Diego Lopes’ slight, he responded with a defamatory remark of his own. This would be the breaking point between the two, as both would stand up from their seats and engage in a war of words. Yair Rodríguez would accuse Lopes and his team of jumping one of his teammates as Lopes would be held back by security. The two would continue to go at it, arguing in Spanish as Lopes would warn Rodríguez to stop talking about his team. The bad blood between Yair Rodríguez and Diego Lopes would continue after the press conference, as the two would continue to go back and forth. Luckily, the UFC staff prevented this verbal altercation from escalating into a physical one.
Yair Rodríguez takes on UFC newcomer Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire at UFC 314. A tall task for Rodríguez, who looks to end his two-fight losing skid. On the other hand, Diego Lopes is in the biggest fight of his life. Lopes takes on arguably the greatest featherweight in UFC history Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship. Hopefully, both fighters can focus on their opponents and not each other. With both fighters fighting in the Featherweight Division, perhaps a fight could be in the cards if the circumstances are right.
