Diego Lopes, embodying the fighting spirit and overcoming numerous hardships throughout his journey from Manaus to Puebla, is set to headline UFC 314 in Miami, seeking the vacant featherweight title against former champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Diego Lopes isn’t just another Brazilian fighter with a unique hairstyle. He’s a symbol of the relentless fighting spirit that pushes people to conquer obstacles and achieve their dreams. Dream, believe, and make it happen.
This Saturday, at UFC 314 in Miami’s Kaseya Center, Lopes will represent both Brazil and Mexico. He’ll face off against the legendary Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant featherweight title. It’s his first time headlining a UFC pay-per-view—a career pinnacle born from years of highs and lows, stretching from Manaus to Puebla.
Manaus has long been known for producing exceptional grapplers. From the Gracies to Wallid Ismail, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, and Jose Aldo, it’s a lineage Lopes proudly follows. Yet, he soon realized jiu-jitsu alone wouldn’t sustain him financially. Mixing martial arts seemed the solution, and in September 2012, he marked his debut with a second-round TKO victory.
Fast forward nine months: Lopes had three stoppage wins under his belt. But then came the losses—a split decision to Thiago Silva and a TKO by Rodrigo Praia. Feeling confined by Manaus, he knew change was necessary to reach greater heights.
Lopes moved to São Paulo and joined Revira Black Team. The team had a partnership with a nearby school providing meals, but it wasn’t enough for rent. So they slept in the gym. When the gym relocated to Perus, they had no choice but to find local housing.
Despite financial struggles, Lopes and his friends discovered Bom Prato—a state-run eatery offering affordable meals. Breakfast cost R$0.50 (about eight cents USD), lunch R$1.00 (17 cents). They’d rise early for breakfast before embarking on a two-hour commute to train at Reviravolta’s gym.
Their coach and teammates eventually noticed they weren’t eating lunch. Embarrassed by their situation, they initially kept quiet until friends began sharing meals with them.
Lopes tapped out Isaque Silva in his first fight after moving to São Paulo. Later that year, he scored another TKO victory. Despite doing well in grappling tournaments, he sought bigger opportunities beyond São Paulo—willing to travel anywhere for his career.
In April 2015, after improving his record to 6-2 with a quick heel hook finish, an opportunity arose in Mexico for talented grapplers to coach jiu-jitsu. Lopes seized it without hesitation.
On September 22nd, just days after defeating Gilberto Pantoja in São Paulo, Lopes boarded a flight to Cancun—ushering in a new chapter of his life.
Lopes landed a job teaching jiu-jitsu at a gym in Playa Del Carmen alongside Alessandro Costa—a fellow manauara who became his best friend and later joined the UFC too. They enjoyed stable lives briefly before circumstances forced them back into hardship.
Reviravolta connected them with another gym needing skilled grapplers in Puebla—where amenities were sparse; showers involved buckets of water.
Determined not to return empty-handed or defeated by adversity again—they opened their own gym but went bankrupt shortly afterward.
Yet through it all—Lopes’ aggressive grappling style made waves locally during tournaments offering extra cash per submission win—earning him recognition across Mexico’s circuit.
At one point riding an eight-fight winning streak while holding LUX Fight League championship titles during COVID-19 pandemic times—it seemed like nothing could stop him…except perhaps fate itself?
Despite setbacks including losing out on potential UFC contracts due unforeseen injuries sustained mid-fight—Lopes persevered relentlessly towards achieving ultimate success within MMA world ranks!
Finally turning things around last year scoring consecutive knockouts at Fury FC events reigniting interest among top-tier organizations worldwide once more!
Now poised ready take center stage against formidable opponent seeking reclaim glory atop division standings once dominated prior reigns past champions alike such as Volkanovski himself no less!
“I left home 11 years ago—it all worked out,” says Diego confidently reflecting upon journey thus far undertaken sacrifices made along way ultimately leading present momentous occasion awaiting eagerly anticipated showdown looming ever closer horizon ahead!