Diego Lopez has long been recognized by UFC fans for his habit of touching his throat during fights. This Saturday, the UFC returns to Sydney, Australia for UFC 325, featuring a headline rematch between Australian featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and Lopez.
The announcement of this rematch by UFC president Dana White sparked criticism among many fans, who felt it was too soon since their last encounter was less than a year ago. Despite this, Lopez made a major statement in his most recent fight by delivering one of the year’s most impressive knockouts against Gian Silva, surpassing competitors like Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy in the rankings.
Since joining the UFC, Lopez, a Brazilian fighter, has become popular for his dynamic and exciting style in the octagon. While his throat-touching habit is well-known, many fans remain unaware of its origin. Lopez recently revealed that this involuntary tic stems from a childhood accident, explaining at a post-fight press conference that he once got stuck on a metal object that injured his throat, leaving a lasting scar. During fights, the area sometimes itches, prompting him to touch it reflexively. He emphasized that this is simply a tic that occurs regularly during his matches.
The injury happened when Lopez was playing near a metal construction pole, which became lodged in his throat and caused a cut.
In a poll conducted by Bloody Elbow as part of their Talking Points segment, MMA fans shared their predictions for the UFC 325 main event in Sydney. Out of 1,162 voters, over 70% believe Volkanovski will claim victory on home turf, while only 28.49% favored Lopez’s chances. The champion holds a significant lead in fan confidence by nearly 500 votes.
Fan Take: This rematch highlights the competitive spirit at the top of the featherweight division and offers fans a chance to see if Lopez’s dramatic knockout momentum can disrupt Volkanovski’s reign. For fight enthusiasts, it’s more than just a title bout—it’s a clash that could redefine the landscape of the division and fuel ongoing rivalries in the sport.
