# Diego Lopes (fighter)

Diego Lopes da Silva (born 30 December 1994) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who 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 (LFL), where he was a former Lux Fight League Featherweight Champion. As of 17 September 2024, he is #3 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 after 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.
After competing in multiple promotions in Mexico, 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 three more fights in other promotions, 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 is scheduled to compete for the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship against former champion Alexander Volkanovski in the main event on April 12, 2025 at UFC 314.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Mixed martial arts

* Ultimate Fighting Championship
** Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Gavin Tucker and Pat Sabatini
** Fight of the Night (One Time) vs. Movsar Evloev
** UFC.com Awards
*** 2023: Newcomer of the Year & Ranked #8 Submission of the Year vs. Gavin Tucker
*** 2024: Ranked #4 Fighter of the Year
* World MMA Awards
** 2024 Submission of the Year vs. Gavin Tucker at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 32 matches | 26 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 10 | 2 |
| By submission | 12 | 0 |
| By decision | 4 | 4 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 26–6 | Brian Ortega | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 306 | September 14, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 25–6 | Dan Ige | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 303 | June 29, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (165 lb) bout. |
| Win | 24–6 | Sodiq Yusuff | TKO (punches) | UFC 300 | April 13, 2024 | 1 | 1:29 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 23–6 | Pat Sabatini | KO (punches) | UFC 295 | November 11, 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 | August 5, 2023 | 1 | 1:38 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 21–6 | Movsar Evloev | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 288 | May 6, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 21–5 | Ángel Rodríguez | TKO (punches) | LUX Fight League 28 | November 18, 2022 | 2 | 0:40 | Monterrey, Mexico | |
| Win | 20–5 | Kenn Glenn | KO (punches) | Fury FC 57 | February 11, 2022 | 3 | 4:39 | Humble, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 19–5 | Nate Richardson | Decision (split) | Fury FC 52 | October 17, 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 | August 31, 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 Fight League 12 | March 12, 2021 | 3 | 3:06 | Monterrey, Mexico | Defended the LUX Fight League Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–3 | Marco Beltrán | Submission (kneebar) | LUX Fight League 7 | November 29, 2019 | 1 | 1:35 | Monterrey, Mexico | Won the LUX Fight League Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 17–3 | Alejandro Solano Rodríguez | Decision (unanimous) | LUX Fight League 6 | August 30, 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | Monterrey, Mexico | |
| Win | 16–3 | Rony Jason | Decision (unanimous) | LUX Fight League 4 | March 15, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 15–3 | Luis Guerrero | Submission (armbar) | LUX Fight League 3 | October 5, 2018 | 1 | 2:48 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 14–3 | Rogelio Meneses | TKO (punches) | Rock Fighting League 2 | August 17, 2018 | 1 | 3:31 | Epazoyucan, Mexico | |
| Win | 13–3 | Antonio Hernández | Submission (armbar) | Xtreme Fighters Latino 38 | June 1, 2018 | 1 | 1:21 | Mexico City, Mexico | Won the XFL Featherweight Championship. |
| Loss | 12–3 | Amir Elzhurkaev | KO (punches) | ACB 78: Young Eagles 24 | January 13, 2018 | 2 | 3:06 | Grozny, Russia | Bantamweight bout. |
| Win | 12–2 | Issac Ruelas | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Jasaji Fighting League 17 | September 23, 2017 | 1 | 2:23 | Mexico City, Mexico | Won the JFL Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–2 | Raúl Najera Ocampo | TKO (punches) | Xtreme Fighters Latino 34 | April 21, 2017 | 1 | 3:37 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 10–2 | Carlos Enrique Cañada | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Jasaji Fighting League 15 | March 18, 2017 | 1 | 3:37 | Mexico City, Mexico | Catchweight (150 lb) bout. |
| Win | 9–2 | Paul Márquez Moreno | Submission (armbar) | Jasaji Fighting League 14 | November 26, 2016 | 1 | 4:46 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 8–2 | Luis Torres | TKO (punches) | Coatza Fight Night 5 | April 16, 2016 | 1 | 1:15 | Coatzacoalcos, Mexico | Return to Featherweight. |
| Win | 7–2 | Gilberto Pantoja | Submission (triangle choke) | Elite Fight Night 1 | September 19, 2015 | 2 | 2:19 | São Paulo, Brazil | Bantamweight bout. |
| Win | 6–2 | Duda Sales | Submission (heel hook) | Thunder Fight 3 | April 11, 2015 | 1 | 3:42 | São Paulo, Brazil | Bantamweight bout. |
| Win | 5–2 | José Roberto dos Santos | TKO (retirement) | MMA Super Heroes 7 | November 15, 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 | July 27, 2014 | 2 | 2:44 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Loss | 3–2 | Rodrigo Praia | TKO (punches) | It's Time Combat 4 | April 16, 2014 | 2 | N/A | Manaus, Brazil | |
| Loss | 3–1 | Thiago Silva | Decision (split) | Big Way Fight 3 | November 8, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Manaus, Brazil | |
| Win | 3–0 | Luiz Silva | Submission (armbar) | It's Time Combat 3 | July 13, 2013 | 1 | N/A | Manaus, Brazil | |
| Win | 2–0 | Raniel da Costa | TKO (punches) | It's Time Combat 2 | February 1, 2013 | 2 | N/A | Manaus, Brazil | |
| Win | 1–0 | Francivaldo Arauvo | TKO (punches) | It's Time Combat 1 | September 8, 2012 | 2 | N/A | Manaus, Brazil | |