Brazilian featherweight sensation Diego Lopes is set for the fight of his life as he takes on former title challenger Brian Ortega at UFC 306: O'Malley vs. Dvalishvili this Saturday at The Sphere in Las Vegas. With both fighters aiming to solidify their spots in the highly competitive featherweight division, this bout promises fireworks.
Lopes, who burst onto the UFC scene in 2023, has quickly become one of the promotion's rising stars. His debut against the No. 6 ranked Movsar Evloev saw him push the highly favored Evloev to his limits, earning Lopes his first "Fight of the Night" bonus. While he didn't secure the win, he gained the respect of the fans and fighters alike.
From there, Lopes' career skyrocketed. In just three months, he submitted Gavin Tucker via a stunning first-round armbar, earning his second performance bonus. And he didn’t stop there—he followed it up by knocking out Pat Sabatini in just 90 seconds at Madison Square Garden, cementing himself as a serious contender.
After being crowned "Newcomer of the Year" in 2023, Lopes returned for UFC 300 to face Sodiq Yusuff. With a full training camp, he made quick work of Yusuff, securing his fastest finish yet in just 89 seconds.
But Lopes' real breakout came at UFC 303 when he stepped up on just hours' notice to face Dan Ige after Ortega withdrew on fight day due to illness. Despite the catchweight of 165 pounds and minimal prep, Lopes delivered an impressive unanimous decision victory, a performance that went viral and put him firmly on the MMA map.
Now, with a full camp and months of preparation, Lopes is once again set to face Ortega, the current No. 3 ranked featherweight contender, on the biggest stage of his career—UFC 306. Despite the drama of their first scheduled bout, Lopes holds no animosity toward Ortega, acknowledging the challenges all fighters face.
"He’s a fighter, I’m a fighter," Lopes said. "We know how hard this sport is. I hope he’s ready, and we can put on a great show."
What makes this event even more special for Lopes is that he'll be sharing the card with his teammates, including UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and top-ranked bantamweight Irene Aldana. The sense of camaraderie and pride is palpable.
"It feels amazing to share the Octagon with them, especially since this event is so important for Mexico. We’re all pumped and ready to go," Lopes shared.
As Lopes gears up for his toughest challenge yet, fans are eagerly anticipating another electric performance. Whether it’s a submission or knockout, one thing is certain—Diego Lopes is ready to leave his mark on UFC 306.
Don’t miss UFC 306: O'Malley vs. Dvalishvili live from The Sphere in Las Vegas this Saturday, September 14, 2024. Prelims start at 8pm ET/5pm PT, with the main card kicking off on PPV at 10pm ET/7pm PT.