Diego Lopes’s rise within the UFC has been a particular one.
The 29-year-old has the MMA world by storm. Lower than a yr after he signed with the UFC, Lopes (24-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is a fan favourite and darkish horse featherweight contender.
Lopes debuted on just some days’ discover in Could 2023. He virtually took the unbeaten report from high contender Movsar Evloev, however gave him his hardest UFC struggle and earned a Struggle of the Evening bonus within the course of. Following his debut, Lopes submitted Gavin Tucker in August and knocked out Pat Sabatini in November. Each stoppages got here within the first spherical and gained Efficiency of the Evening bonuses.
And earlier this month, he grew to become the primary to cease Sodiq Yusuff when he put him away in brutal vogue within the first spherical at UFC 300.
It’s been a wild 11 months for the Brazilian.
“It’s exceeded my expectations,” Lopes advised MMA Junkie in Spanish concerning his UFC rise. “I knew that I might do it, however I didn’t assume it could occur so fast, prefer it’s turned out.
“I do assume one factor is for certain: Each alternative they’ve given me, it’s a chance to take a step ahead, and I’ve accomplished that in each single struggle. For the reason that struggle with Movsar, I’ve given it my all so individuals can know who I’m. … I feel the UFC offers you the instruments to construct your self, and it’s as much as you ways you make your individual path.
“I feel I’ve accomplished issues properly, and I’ve made probably the most of all alternatives. I feel one thing that’s been secret is that I’ve left each struggle unscathed, and that’s helped me to be energetic.”
Diego Lopes has been within the UFC for lower than 1 YEAR. Here is what he is achieved in 4 fights:
– 2 first-round KOs– 1 first-round submission– 3 POTN bonuses (probably 4)– Fought in MSG– Fought at #UFC300 – Beloved in Brazil and Mexico
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) April 14, 2024
After he completed Yusuff, Lopes entered the UFC’s official featherweight rankings at No. 14. It was an enormous achievement for Lopes and one he stated he’s happy with.
“A film went by means of my head,” Lopes stated when he came upon he entered the UFC rankings. “It’s unimaginable, every part that’s occurred and the way it’s occurred. I anticipated to enter the rankings after the struggle in New York, however it didn’t occur. However now I’ve my title among the many finest 15 on the planet, so for me, it’s very gratifying.
“I feel this speaks to the work that we’ve put in, how we’ve gained the fights, and I feel it was inevitable that I used to be going to enter the rankings after this one.”
Lopes, who’s been angling for large fights, is worked up to be among the many finest 15 fighters within the UFC’s featherweight division not solely as a result of it speaks of his standing within the promotion, but additionally as a result of his upcoming fights must be towards the larger names within the division.
“I’ve been searching for these sort of challenges,” Lopes stated. “I’ve advised you previously that I would like powerful fights. That’s what I like. Now I’m able that whoever I struggle towards, will probably be a really powerful struggle – and that motivates me loads, and it motivates me to arrange even higher and care for my physique and my psychological well being – every part.
“Sodiq compelled me to work like by no means earlier than as a result of he’s one of many hardest fights within the division. Everybody is aware of that. So beating him the best way I did, I feel that lets all of the contenders know that I’m a tricky struggle for them, simply as they’re powerful fights for me.”
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