One of the highlights of the UFC’s Embedded Vlog Series and Countdown videos is that MMA fans can discover lesser-known facts about their favorite fighters. The latest UFC 314 Countdown video provides insights into Diego Lopes, who is gearing up for his first title fight next weekend. Despite being recognized as one of the top fighters in the world, the Brazilian 145 lbs athlete revealed that mixed martial arts was not initially his career choice.
Given Brazil’s strong jiu-jitsu culture, it’s unsurprising that nearly every member of Lopes’ family holds high-level ranks in the art. Lopes, along with his father, brother, and sister, have all achieved black belt status, while his uncle holds the prestigious coral belt. However, despite being surrounded by elite martial artists, Lopes never seriously considered a career in MMA until about 15 years ago, when his brother, a professional fighter, unexpectedly arranged for him to make his pro debut, launching him into the MMA world almost effortlessly.
“I never intended to compete in MMA. My brother was already a professional fighter,” Lopes recounted in the recently released UFC 314 Countdown video. “One day at home, my brother came up to me and said, ‘You’re fighting in a month.’ I thought he meant jiu-jitsu, and he clarified it was an MMA fight.”
Initially confused and somewhat apprehensive about having no training in MMA, Lopes was reassured by his brother that his jiu-jitsu skills would serve him well in the octagon. As a result, Lopes stepped into his first MMA match just a couple of months shy of turning eighteen.
“I questioned how I would fight without preparation. He told me not to worry and that I could handle it because of my jiu-jitsu background,” Lopes added. “At 17 years old, I began my MMA career in 2012 without any amateur experience—just jumped straight to professional.” And he went on to win that first fight!
Lopes’ brother’s gamble has since paid off, as he now stands among the elite in the MMA world—the UFC! Lopes expressed appreciation for how things have unfolded, receiving recognition for his striking ability and being one of the most exciting fighters on the roster. However, as he approaches his title fight, concerns about a potential weakness in his conditioning have emerged. Lopes has addressed these criticisms directly.
Diego Lopes Responds to Concerns About His Stamina Ahead of UFC 314
Fighters like Merab Dvalishvili and Alexander Volkanovski are known for their excellent cardio. Volkanovski, in particular, has proven his ability to excel in multiple five-round fights. As a result, many fans expect him to have the upper hand over Lopes at UFC 314.
Doubts about Lopes’ endurance arose during his fight against Dan Ige at UFC 303. By the end of that bout, Lopes appeared fatigued. However, he countered those concerns by pointing to his strong performance against Brian Ortega at UFC 306, where he performed exceptionally well.
“People are fixated on my performance against Dan Ige, but that’s okay. They have opinions,” Lopes stated in an interview. “Yet, no one talks about the knockdowns I scored against Brian Ortega in the third round and how I dominated that fight, winning all three rounds.”
Diego Lopes’ path to potentially becoming an MMA champion covers nearly 15 years. Despite Alexander Volkanovski’s recent losses, he remains a formidable contender in the featherweight division. What are your predictions for the main event of UFC 314? Share your thoughts below.
