Diego Lopes is fighting for the UFC featherweight title this weekend.
Two short years ago would have you asking, “Who?” But the rapid rise of the Brazilian contender has been meteoric.
Taking on a living-legend in the main event of UFC 314, destiny is staring Lopes in the face. Will he rise to the occasion as he’s done time and time again?
Diego Lopes: The hectic rise
Diego Lopes fights exactly like you’d expect a man with a mullet fights: chaotic. Like Manu Ginobili driving to the basket with his hair in his face, seemingly out of control, Lopes often finds himself on the better end of exchanges.
But his lone blemish in the UFC was a short notice fight against Movsar Evloev, who he brought to the brink. That was also Lopes’ debut with the world’s largest MMA promotion.
Since then, he’s been electrifying.
Bodies began dropping. Gavin Tucker: submitted. Pat Sabitini: knocked out. Sodiq Yusuff: also knocked out. It was time to step up for the Legacy MMA standout.
Making his case
After knocking out Yusuff at UFC 300, all eyes were officially on Diego Lopes. It was the biggest card the UFC had put on and Lopes showed up. Next, he was given a shot at Brian Ortega. Unfortunately, Ortega was sick the day of the fight.
Like the bad to the bone dude he is, Dan Ige stepped in on hours notice and took on the most dangerous featherweight contender.
The Ortega fight was rebooked for UFC 306 at Tge Sphere in Las Vegas. Once again, Lopes shined, dominating Brian Ortega.
Diego Lopes is the proof that putting exciting fighters on big cards can absolutely create stars.
All eyes are on him once again, as he takes on Alexander Volkanovski, a legend of the featherweight division. While the void of Ilia Topuria’s departure to lightweight will loom over the fight, a win over Volkanovski will certainly make a huge case for Lopes as a legitimate champion.
