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Diego Lopes (fighter)

Diego Lopes da Silva (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. As of 15 July 2025, he is #2 in the UFC featherweight rankings.

Background

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 transitioned into MMA.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

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.

LUX Fight League

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.

After two more unanimous decision wins over Rony Jason and Alejandro Solano Rodríguez, Lopes had the opportunity to face then-featherweight champion Marco Beltrán. 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.

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.

Dana White's Contender Series

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 after an eye poke in the final round. Although he did not receive a contract on the night, Lopes was eventually signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Making his UFC debut on five days' notice, Lopes faced Movsar Evloev on 6 May 2023 at UFC 288, replacing Bryce Mitchell. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Lopes faced Gavin Tucker on 5 August 2023 at UFC on ESPN 50. He won the bout via armbar in the first round. This victory earned him his first Performance of the Night award.

Lopes faced Pat Sabatini on 11 November 2023 at UFC 295. He won the bout by TKO in the first round. This victory earned him his second Performance of the Night award.

Lopes faced Sodiq Yusuff on 13 April 2024 at UFC 300. After landing two knockdowns, Lopes won by technical knockout in the second minute of the first round. Based on jumping the cage after winning the fight, the NAC withheld $5,000 of his $100,000 payout. 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.

Lopes was scheduled to face Brian Ortega in a lightweight bout on 29 June 2024, at UFC 303. The bout was originally scheduled for featherweight, but was changed a day before weigh-ins due to weight cutting issues from Ortega. 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. Lopes won the bout against Ige by unanimous decision.

The bout with Brian Ortega was rebooked and eventually took place on 14 September 2024 at UFC 306. Lopes won the fight by unanimous decision.

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.

Lopes was reportedly scheduled to face Yair Rodríguez on 29 March 2025, at UFC on ESPN 64. However, Lopes later denied the fight was ever scheduled.

Lopes competed for the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship against former champion Alexander Volkanovski in the main event on 12 April 2025 at UFC 314. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.

Lopes faced Jean Silva in the main event on 13 September 2025 at UFC Fight Night 259. He won the fight by technical knockout with a spinning elbow and punches to follow in the second round. This fight earned him a Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night award totaling $100,000.

Lopes competed for the UFC Featherweight Championship in a rematch against champion Alexander Volkanovski in the main event on 1 February 2026 at UFC 325. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned him a $100,000 Fight of the Night award.

Lopes is scheduled to face Steve Garcia on 14 June 2026 at UFC Freedom 250.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Philanthropy

Lopes launched a non-profit jiu-jitsu academy for underprivileged children called "Brazilian Warriors" in Puebla, Mexico.

Mixed martial arts record

|- |Loss |align=center|27–8 |Alexander Volkanovski |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 325 | |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |Sydney, Australia | |- |Win |align=center|27–7 |Jean Silva |TKO (spinning back elbow and punches) | | |align=center|2 |align=center|4:48 |San Antonio, Texas, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|26–7 |Alexander Volkanovski |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 314 | |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |Miami, Florida, United States | |- |Win |align=center|26–6 |Brian Ortega |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 306 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center|25–6 |Dan Ige |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 303 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center|24–6 |Sodiq Yusuff |TKO (punches) |UFC 300 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:29 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center|23–6 |Pat Sabatini |KO (punches) |UFC 295 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:30 |New York City, New York, United States | |- |Win |align=center|22–6 |Gavin Tucker |Submission (armbar) | | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:38 |Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|21–6 |Movsar Evloev |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 288 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Newark, New Jersey, United States | |- |Win |align=center|21–5 |Ángel Rodríguez |TKO (punches) |LUX 028 | |align=center|2 |align=center|0:40 |Monterrey, Mexico | |- |Win |align=center|20–5 |Kenn Glenn |KO (punches) |Fury FC 57 | |align=center|3 |align=center|4:39 |Humble, Texas, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|19–5 |Nate Richardson |Decision (split) |Fury FC 52 | |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |Houston, Texas, United States | |- |Loss |align=center| 19–4 |Joanderson Brito |Technical Decision (unanimous) |Dana White's Contender Series 37 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 0:10 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center|19–3 |Masio Fullen |Submission (armbar) |LUX 012 | |align=center|3 |align=center|3:06 |Monterrey, Mexico | |- |Win |align=center|18–3 |Marco Beltrán |Submission (kneebar) |LUX 007 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:35 |Monterrey, Mexico | |- |Win |align=center|17–3 |Alejandro Solano Rodríguez |Decision (unanimous) |LUX 006 | |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |Monterrey, Mexico | |- |Win |align=center|16–3 |Rony Jason |Decision (unanimous) |LUX 004 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Mexico City, Mexico | |- |Win |align=center|15–3 |Luis Guerrero |Submission (armbar) |LUX 003 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:48 |Mexico City, Mexico | |- |Win |align=center|14–3 |Rogelio Meneses |TKO (punches) |Roca Fighting League 2 | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:31 |Epazoyucan, Mexico | |- |Win |align=center|13–3 |Antonio Hernández |Submission (armbar) |Xtreme Fighters Latino 38 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:21 |Mexico City, Mexico | |- |Loss |align=center| 12–3 |Amir Elzhurkaev |KO (punches) | | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 3:06 |Grozny, Russia | |- |Win |align=center|12–2 |Issac Ruelas |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Jasaji Fighting League 17 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:23 |Mexico City, Mexico | |- |Win |align=center|11–2 |Raúl Najera Ocampo |TKO (punches) |Xtreme Fighters Latino 34 | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:37 |Mexico City, Mexico | |- |Win |align=center|10–2 |Carlos Enrique Cañada |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Jasaji Fighting League 15 | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:37 |Mexico City, Mexico | |- |Win |align=center|9–2 |Paul Márquez Moreno |Submission (armbar) |Jasaji Fighting League 14 | |align=center|1 |align=center|4:46 |Mexico City, Mexico | |- |Win |align=center|8–2 |Luis Torres |TKO (punches) |Coatza Fight Night 5 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:15 |Coatzacoalcos, Mexico | |- |Win |align=center|7–2 |Gilberto Pantoja |Submission (triangle choke) |Elite Fight Night 1 | |align=center|2 |align=center|2:19 |São Paulo, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center|6–2 |Duda Sales |Submission (heel hook) |Thunder Fight 3 | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:42 |São Paulo, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center|5–2 |José Roberto dos Santos |TKO (retirement) |MMA Super Heroes 7 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:28 |São Paulo, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center|4–2 |Isaque Silva |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Pro Fight MMA Brazil 11 | |align=center|2 |align=center|2:44 |São Paulo, Brazil | |- |Loss |align=center|3–2 |Rodrigo Praia |TKO (punches) |It's Time Combat 4 | |align=center|2 |align=center|N/A |Manaus, Brazil | |- |Loss |align=center|3–1 |Thiago Silva |Decision (split) |Big Way Fight 3 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Manaus, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center|3–0 |Luiz Silva |Submission (armbar) |It's Time Combat 3 | |align=center|1 |align=center|N/A |Manaus, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center|2–0 |Raniel da Costa |TKO (punches) |It's Time Combat 2 | |align=center|2 |align=center|N/A |Manaus, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center|1–0 |Francivaldo Arauvo |TKO (punches) |It's Time Combat 1 | |align=center|2 |align=center|N/A |Manaus, Brazil |

Pay-per-view bouts

See also

References

External links