Diego Lopes

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 formerly competed in the Mexican MMA promotion LUX Fight League, where he was a former LUX Featherweight Champion. As of 15 July 2026, he is #2 in the Meta 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.

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 faced Steve Garcia on 14 June 2026 at UFC Freedom 250. He won the fight via knockout in the second round.

Lopes revealed he will be moving to the Lightweight division in his next bout, revealing he's in deep talks in regards to his next opponent.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (Four times) UFC Honors Awards 2025: President's Choice Fight of the Year Nominee UFC.com Awards 2023: Newcomer of the Year & Ranked #8 Submission of the Year 2024: Ranked #4 Fighter of the Year LUX Fight League LUX Featherweight Championship (one time) Jasaji Fighting League JFL Featherweight Championship (one time) Xtreme Fighters Latino XFL Featherweight Championship (one time) World MMA Awards 2024 Submission of the Year vs. Gavin Tucker at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font ESPN 2024 Breakout Fighter of the Year MMA Junkie 2023 Newcomer of the Year Cageside Press 2023 Newcomer of the Year MMA Fighting 2023 First Team MMA All-Star 2024 Second Team MMA All-Star BodySlam.net 2024 Breakout Fighter of the Year MMA Mania 2025 #2 Ranked Fight of the Year

Personal life

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

When I first started training, I had nothing. Now that I have support, sponsors and people behind me. I want to give back the things I did not have when I first started..... This program offers support to kids.

Mixed martial arts record Win

Steve Garcia KO (punches) UFC Freedom 250

Washington, D.C., United States Loss

Alexander Volkanovski Decision (unanimous) UFC 325

Sydney, Australia Win

Jean Silva TKO (spinning back elbow and punches) UFC Fight Night: Lopes vs. Silva

San Antonio, Texas, United States Loss

Alexander Volkanovski Decision (unanimous) UFC 314

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Brian Ortega Decision (unanimous) UFC 306

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Dan Ige Decision (unanimous) UFC 303

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Sodiq Yusuff TKO (punches) UFC 300

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Pat Sabatini KO (punches) UFC 295

New York City, New York, United States Win

Gavin Tucker Submission (armbar) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Loss

Movsar Evloev Decision (unanimous) UFC 288

Newark, New Jersey, United States Win

Ángel Rodríguez TKO (punches) LUX 028

Monterrey, Mexico Win

Kenn Glenn KO (punches) Fury FC 57

Humble, Texas, United States Loss

Nate Richardson Decision (split) Fury FC 52

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Joanderson Brito Technical Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 37

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Masio Fullen Submission (armbar) LUX 012

Monterrey, Mexico Win

Marco Beltrán Submission (kneebar) LUX 007

Monterrey, Mexico Win

Alejandro Solano Rodríguez Decision (unanimous) LUX 006

Monterrey, Mexico Win

Rony Jason Decision (unanimous) LUX 004

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Luis Guerrero Submission (armbar) LUX 003

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Rogelio Meneses TKO (punches) Roca Fighting League 2

Epazoyucan, Mexico Win

Antonio Hernández Submission (armbar) Xtreme Fighters Latino 38

Mexico City, Mexico Loss

Amir Elzhurkaev KO (punches) ACB 78

Grozny, Russia Win

Issac Ruelas Submission (rear-naked choke) Jasaji Fighting League 17

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Raúl Najera Ocampo TKO (punches) Xtreme Fighters Latino 34

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Carlos Enrique Cañada Submission (rear-naked choke) Jasaji Fighting League 15

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Paul Márquez Moreno Submission (armbar) Jasaji Fighting League 14

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Luis Torres TKO (punches) Coatza Fight Night 5

Coatzacoalcos, Mexico Win

Gilberto Pantoja Submission (triangle choke) Elite Fight Night 1

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Duda Sales Submission (heel hook) Thunder Fight 3

São Paulo, Brazil Win

José Roberto dos Santos TKO (retirement) MMA Super Heroes 7

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Isaque Silva Submission (rear-naked choke) Pro Fight MMA Brazil 11

São Paulo, Brazil Loss

Rodrigo Praia TKO (punches) It's Time Combat 4

Manaus, Brazil Loss

Thiago Silva Decision (split) Big Way Fight 3

Manaus, Brazil Win

Luiz Silva Submission (armbar) It's Time Combat 3

Manaus, Brazil Win

Raniel da Costa TKO (punches) It's Time Combat 2

Manaus, Brazil Win

Francivaldo Arauvo TKO (punches) It's Time Combat 1

Manaus, Brazil Pay-per-view bouts