The anticipation of receiving a call from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) can significantly impact a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter’s career.
Following an impressive stint in the Octagon, Diego Lopes is poised to face former Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski for the now-vacant UFC Featherweight title. This extraordinary opportunity for glory came after years of resilience against numerous challenges and delays.
From 2014 to early 2021, Lopes established an impressive record of 16 wins and 1 loss, earning a last-minute shot at a UFC contract during Season 5 of Contender Series against Joanderson Brito.
Sadly, Lopes endured an accidental eye poke in this matchup, leading to a premature halt and a technical decision loss (here are the results).
This event marked a pivotal change in Lopes’ life, yet it came with significant setbacks and extensive waiting.
Just two months after the Contender Series loss, Lopes returned to the cage against Nate Richardson at Fury FC 52, where he suffered another loss via split decision in October 2022.
Despite the disappointing outcomes, Lopes remained undeterred, refusing to let consecutive losses define him. The period was challenging; pursuing his UFC ambitions felt far-off, finances were strained, and he was establishing a training team in Mexico while coaching UFC fighters Alexa Grasso and Irene Aldana.
In February 2022, he regained his winning momentum by defeating Kenneth Glenn at Fury FC 57, but struggles arose again as he failed to attract opponents for further matches, leaving him inactive until the end of 2022.
“2022 was tough because I had lost on the Contender Series the prior year, and then I lost again,” Lopes explained to MMAmania.com. “We kept training and stayed active, although many opponents outside the UFC were reluctant to fight me.”
After a notable knockout win over Angel Rodriguez at Lux Fight League 28, Lopes remained patient as he awaited a response from UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby, all while his teammate Alessandro Costa pursued a similar goal, eventually getting a UFC chance.
In May 2023, Lopes received the call he had long awaited when he was offered a fight against Movsar Evloev on short notice due to Evloev’s original opponent withdrawing. This led to an unforgettable encounter where Lopes showcased tremendous resilience against the undefeated contender, despite ultimately losing via unanimous decision. The performance impressed Dana White, setting Lopes on a trajectory for future success.
Following this fight, Lopes went on to secure victories over several notable opponents, accumulating five wins in just over a year, rapidly earning him a shot at the UFC Featherweight title.
After enduring hardships, Lopes’ long-awaited dream is now on the brink of fulfillment.
