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Wins historic late-notice bout
Lopes defeated Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 303 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
So ends arguably the wildest turn of events in UFC history. Lopes handled the (extremely) late notice withdrawal of Brian Ortega like a pro, willingly taking on Ige (who literally got off his couch to make this happen) in a catchweight bout on just a few hours' notice. Lopes was very good for 10 minutes, pressuring Ige on the feet and controlling him on the mat before gassing out in Round 3. If this fight was scheduled for five rounds, Diego would have been in trouble. As is, he's the victor of four straight and is continuing his climb up the loaded featherweight rankings. It was the rare fight in which everyone was a winner.
So ends arguably the wildest turn of events in UFC history. Lopes handled the (extremely) late notice withdrawal of Brian Ortega like a pro, willingly taking on Ige (who literally got off his couch to make this happen) in a catchweight bout on just a few hours' notice. Lopes was very good for 10 minutes, pressuring Ige on the feet and controlling him on the mat before gassing out in Round 3. If this fight was scheduled for five rounds, Diego would have been in trouble. As is, he's the victor of four straight and is continuing his climb up the loaded featherweight rankings. It was the rare fight in which everyone was a winner.
Last-minute opponent change
Lopes will now face Dan Ige in the co-main event of UFC 303 on Saturday, according to the UFC 303 broadcast.
ANALYSIS
Lopes was originally scheduled to face Brian Ortega at lightweight in the co-main event, but after what was already a bad weight cut for Ortega, "T-City" was unable to shake a fever and was ultimately forced to withdraw just hours before the event. Lopes will now face Dan Ige at a catchweight of 165 pounds to keep the card in tact. Ige has won three of his last four fights and is known as an all-action brawler, so he won't be afraid to throw down with Lopes in the center of the cage.
Lopes was originally scheduled to face Brian Ortega at lightweight in the co-main event, but after what was already a bad weight cut for Ortega, "T-City" was unable to shake a fever and was ultimately forced to withdraw just hours before the event. Lopes will now face Dan Ige at a catchweight of 165 pounds to keep the card in tact. Ige has won three of his last four fights and is known as an all-action brawler, so he won't be afraid to throw down with Lopes in the center of the cage.
Lightweight fight against Ortega
Lopes is competing against Brian Ortega in a lightweight fight at UFC 303 on Saturday, according to MMA reporter Ariel Helwani.
ANALYSIS
Before being scheduled against Lopes, Ortega was preparing for a lightweight fight at UFC 306 in the new Las Vegas Sphere on Sept. 14. However, T-City has been booked significantly earlier at featherweight and cannot cut to that weight class' limit by Saturday. So that left Ortega's scheduled opponent with a choice: not fight the top-three featherweight contender or move up to lightweight. By choosing the latter option, Lopes is also getting more money, according to a later post from Helwani.
Before being scheduled against Lopes, Ortega was preparing for a lightweight fight at UFC 306 in the new Las Vegas Sphere on Sept. 14. However, T-City has been booked significantly earlier at featherweight and cannot cut to that weight class' limit by Saturday. So that left Ortega's scheduled opponent with a choice: not fight the top-three featherweight contender or move up to lightweight. By choosing the latter option, Lopes is also getting more money, according to a later post from Helwani.
Co-main event at UFC 303
Lopes will fight Brian Ortega in a featherweight bout at UFC 303 on June 29 in Las Vegas, per UFC President Dana White.
ANALYSIS
While fighting with just over two weeks of prep is much to ask for, Lopes' next bout has a high reward, which could explain why he is fighting at UFC 303. Ortega is ranked No. 3 in the promotion's featherweight division, so defeating him can make Lopes a legitimate championship contender.
While fighting with just over two weeks of prep is much to ask for, Lopes' next bout has a high reward, which could explain why he is fighting at UFC 303. Ortega is ranked No. 3 in the promotion's featherweight division, so defeating him can make Lopes a legitimate championship contender.
Third straight instant victory
Lopes defeated Sodiq Yusuff via TKO (punches) at 1:29 of Round 1 at UFC 300 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Lopes has yet to face anywhere near the best the featherweight division has to offer, but that's coming, and potentially sooner rather than later if this run continues. This was his third straight first-round stoppage victory, each of which has come in 1:38 or less. An uppercut from the clinch set forth the series of events that put Yusuff away. Lopes has 24 professional wins, including 22 via stoppage, despite the fact he won't be turning 30 years of age until December 30. We'll have to see how he looks against high-end competition, but the Brazilian has earned that right with his recent strong run.
Lopes has yet to face anywhere near the best the featherweight division has to offer, but that's coming, and potentially sooner rather than later if this run continues. This was his third straight first-round stoppage victory, each of which has come in 1:38 or less. An uppercut from the clinch set forth the series of events that put Yusuff away. Lopes has 24 professional wins, including 22 via stoppage, despite the fact he won't be turning 30 years of age until December 30. We'll have to see how he looks against high-end competition, but the Brazilian has earned that right with his recent strong run.