Diego Lopes | |
---|---|
Born | Diego Lopes da Silva 30 December 1994 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil |
Residence | Puebla, Mexico |
Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb) |
Division | Featherweight |
Reach | 72.5 in (184 cm) [1] |
Stance | Orthodox |
Fighting out of | Puebla, Mexico |
Team | Lobo Gym MMA Brazilian Warriors Central |
Trainer | Francisco Grasso |
Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [2] |
Years active | 2012–present |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 33 |
Wins | 26 |
By knockout | 10 |
By submission | 12 |
By decision | 4 |
Losses | 7 |
By knockout | 2 |
By decision | 5 |
Other information | |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Diego Lopes da Silva [3] (born 30 December 1994) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2012, Lopes previously competed in the Mexican MMA promotion LUX Fight League, where he was a former LUX Featherweight Champion. [4] As of 15 July 2025, he is #2 in the UFC featherweight rankings. [5]
Born and raised in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, Lopes began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at a young age, as it was a tradition in his family to fight. He quickly began competing at the age of 7. At 16 he received his purple belt and soon after transitioned into MMA. [6]
Lopes began his professional MMA career in September 2012 in his home country of Brazil, making an immediate impact with a victory in his debut fight. Over the course of his next seven bouts, Lopes built a solid record of five wins and two losses, showcasing his potential as a rising talent in the sport.
At just 19, Lopes' career took a pivotal turn when his jiu-jitsu instructor offered him an opportunity to teach in Mexico. Seizing the chance to further his training and career, Lopes relocated to Mexico and began teaching Brazilian jiu-jitsu while refining his own skills. This move proved to be a crucial development, not only in his fighting career but also in his life, as it allowed him to continue evolving as both a fighter and a coach.
After establishing himself in Mexico, Lopes resumed his fighting career, determined to rise through the ranks and solidify his place in the competitive world of mixed martial arts. [6]
Lopes debuted in the LUX Fight League promotion on 5 October 2018, facing Luis Guerrero at the LUX 003 event. He won the fight via first-round submission. [7]
After two more unanimous decision wins over Rony Jason and Alejandro Solano Rodríguez, Lopes had the opportunity to face then-featherweight champion Marco Beltrán. [8] The fight took place on 29 November 2019, at LUX 007, where Lopes dethroned Beltrán's reign after defeating him via kneebar submission in the first round. [9]
On 12 March 2021, he made his first and only title defence against Masio Fullen at LUX 012. He won the fight via submission after applying an armbar. [10]
After competing in LUX, Lopes was invited to face Joanderson Brito at Dana White's Contender Series 37 on 31 August 2021. He lost the bout via technical decision. [11] Lopes was eventually signed by the UFC. [12]
Making his UFC debut on five days' notice, [13] Lopes faced Movsar Evloev on 6 May 2023 at UFC 288, replacing Bryce Mitchell. [14] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. [15] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award. [16]
Lopes faced Gavin Tucker on 5 August 2023 at UFC on ESPN 50. He won the bout via armbar in the first round. [17] This victory earned him his first Performance of the Night award. [18]
Lopes faced Pat Sabatini on 11 November 2023 at UFC 295. [19] He won the bout by TKO in the first round. [20] This victory earned him his second Performance of the Night award. [21]
Lopes faced Sodiq Yusuff on 13 April 2024 at UFC 300. [22] After landing two knockdowns, Lopes won by technical knockout in the second minute of the first round. [23] Based on jumping the cage after winning the fight, the NAC withheld $5,000 of his $100,000 payout. [24] On 31 May 2024, NAC decided to fine Lopes $2,500 and $157.04 legal fees instead. NAC executive director Jeff Mullen indicated UFC CEO Dana White would pay Lopes’ fine since Lopes asked White permission to jump over the fence. [25]
Lopes was scheduled to face Brian Ortega in a lightweight bout on 29 June 2024, at UFC 303. [26] The bout was originally scheduled for featherweight, but was changed a day before weigh-ins due to weight cutting issues from Ortega. [27] Subsequently, the day of the event, Ortega withdrew from the fight due to illness, and was replaced on a few hours notice by Dan Ige, at a catchweight of 165 pounds. [28] Lopes won the bout against Ige by unanimous decision. [29]
The bout with Brian Ortega was rebooked and eventually took place on 14 September 2024 at UFC 306. [30] Lopes won the fight by unanimous decision. [31]
Lopes served as the backup and potential replacement for the UFC Featherweight Championship bout between champion Ilia Topuria and former champion Max Holloway on 26 October 2024 at UFC 308. [32]
Lopes was reportedly scheduled to face Yair Rodríguez on 29 March 2025, at UFC on ESPN 64. [33] However, Lopes later denied the fight was ever scheduled. [34]
Lopes competed for the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship against former champion Alexander Volkanovski in the main event on 12 April 2025 at UFC 314. [35] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. [36] This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award. [37]
Lopes is scheduled to face Jean Silva in the main event on 13 September 2025 at UFC Fight Night 259. [38]
33 matches | 26 wins | 7 losses |
By knockout | 10 | 2 |
By submission | 12 | 0 |
By decision | 4 | 5 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 26–7 | Alexander Volkanovski | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 314 | 12 April 2025 | 5 | 5:00 | Miami, Florida, United States | For the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
Win | 26–6 | Brian Ortega | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 306 | 14 September 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 25–6 | Dan Ige | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 303 | 29 June 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (165 lb) bout. |
Win | 24–6 | Sodiq Yusuff | TKO (punches) | UFC 300 | 13 April 2024 | 1 | 1:29 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 23–6 | Pat Sabatini | KO (punches) | UFC 295 | 11 November 2023 | 1 | 1:30 | New York City, New York, United States | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 22–6 | Gavin Tucker | Submission (armbar) | UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font | 5 August 2023 | 1 | 1:38 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | Performance of the Night. |
Loss | 21–6 | Movsar Evloev | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 288 | 6 May 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | Fight of the Night. |
Win | 21–5 | Ángel Rodríguez | TKO (punches) | LUX 028 | 18 November 2022 | 2 | 0:40 | Monterrey, Mexico | |
Win | 20–5 | Kenn Glenn | KO (punches) | Fury FC 57 | 11 February 2022 | 3 | 4:39 | Humble, Texas, United States | |
Loss | 19–5 | Nate Richardson | Decision (split) | Fury FC 52 | 17 October 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | For the Fury FC Featherweight Championship. |
Loss | 19–4 | Joanderson Brito | Technical Decision (unanimous) | Dana White's Contender Series 37 | 31 August 2021 | 3 | 0:10 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Brito was deducted one point in round 3 due to an eye poke which rendered Lopes unable to continue. |
Win | 19–3 | Masio Fullen | Submission (armbar) | LUX 012 | 12 March 2021 | 3 | 3:06 | Monterrey, Mexico | Defended the LUX Featherweight Championship. |
Win | 18–3 | Marco Beltrán | Submission (kneebar) | LUX 007 | 29 November 2019 | 1 | 1:35 | Monterrey, Mexico | Defended the LUX Featherweight Championship. |
Win | 17–3 | Alejandro Solano Rodríguez | Decision (unanimous) | LUX 006 | 30 August 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | Monterrey, Mexico | Won the LUX Featherweight Championship. |
Win | 16–3 | Rony Jason | Decision (unanimous) | LUX 004 | 15 March 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
Win | 15–3 | Luis Guerrero | Submission (armbar) | LUX 003 | 5 October 2018 | 1 | 2:48 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
Win | 14–3 | Rogelio Meneses | TKO (punches) | Roca Fighting League 2 | 17 August 2018 | 1 | 3:31 | Epazoyucan, Mexico | |
Win | 13–3 | Antonio Hernández | Submission (armbar) | Xtreme Fighters Latino 38 | 1 June 2018 | 1 | 1:21 | Mexico City, Mexico | Won the vacant XFL Featherweight Championship. |
Loss | 12–3 | Amir Elzhurkaev | KO (punches) | ACB 78 | 13 January 2018 | 2 | 3:06 | Grozny, Russia | Bantamweight bout. |
Win | 12–2 | Issac Ruelas | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Jasaji Fighting League 17 | 23 September 2017 | 1 | 2:23 | Mexico City, Mexico | Won the vacant JFL Featherweight Championship. |
Win | 11–2 | Raúl Najera Ocampo | TKO (punches) | Xtreme Fighters Latino 34 | 21 April 2017 | 1 | 3:37 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
Win | 10–2 | Carlos Enrique Cañada | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Jasaji Fighting League 15 | 18 March 2017 | 1 | 3:37 | Mexico City, Mexico | Catchweight (150 lb) bout. |
Win | 9–2 | Paul Márquez Moreno | Submission (armbar) | Jasaji Fighting League 14 | 26 November 2016 | 1 | 4:46 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
Win | 8–2 | Luis Torres | TKO (punches) | Coatza Fight Night 5 | 16 April 2016 | 1 | 1:15 | Coatzacoalcos, Mexico | Return to Featherweight. |
Win | 7–2 | Gilberto Pantoja | Submission (triangle choke) | Elite Fight Night 1 | 19 September 2015 | 2 | 2:19 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
Win | 6–2 | Duda Sales | Submission (heel hook) | Thunder Fight 3 | 11 April 2015 | 1 | 3:42 | São Paulo, Brazil | Bantamweight debut. |
Win | 5–2 | José Roberto dos Santos | TKO (retirement) | MMA Super Heroes 7 | 15 November 2014 | 1 | 2:28 | São Paulo, Brazil | Catchweight (132 lb) bout. |
Win | 4–2 | Isaque Silva | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Pro Fight MMA Brazil 11 | 27 July 2014 | 2 | 2:44 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
Loss | 3–2 | Rodrigo Praia | TKO (punches) | It's Time Combat 4 | 16 April 2014 | 2 | N/A | Manaus, Brazil | |
Loss | 3–1 | Thiago Silva | Decision (split) | Big Way Fight 3 | 8 November 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Manaus, Brazil | |
Win | 3–0 | Luiz Silva | Submission (armbar) | It's Time Combat 3 | 13 July 2013 | 1 | N/A | Manaus, Brazil | |
Win | 2–0 | Raniel da Costa | TKO (punches) | It's Time Combat 2 | 1 February 2013 | 2 | N/A | Manaus, Brazil | |
Win | 1–0 | Francivaldo Arauvo | TKO (punches) | It's Time Combat 1 | 8 September 2012 | 2 | N/A | Manaus, Brazil | Featherweight debut. |
No. | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV Buys |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | UFC 314 | Volkanovski vs. Lopes | April 12, 2025 | Kaseya Center | Miami, Florida, United States | Not Disclosed [48] |