Diego Lopes holds a 28-8 professional record at age 31. He pairs heavy striking volume with elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Now he chases lightweight gold at UFC 335.
Ultimately, his profile reads like a finished contender resume. He has challenged for the featherweight title twice. However, a new chapter begins in a bigger division.
He made his lightweight move after a long featherweight career. In addition, his second-round TKO of Steve Garcia built real momentum. Consequently, fans want to know how his game translates. Therefore, this profile breaks down his record, stats, and style.
Professional Record and Finish Rate
Lopes owns 28 wins against 8 losses across 36 fights. His victories split evenly: 12 knockouts and 12 submissions. Meanwhile, only four wins came from the judges’ scorecards.
His finish rate sits near 86 percent of victories. That number ranks among the best in UFC history. In contrast, six of his eight defeats came by decision. Thus, only two opponents have ever stopped him.
Inside the octagon, Lopes holds a 7-3 promotional record. His losses came against Movsar Evloev and Alexander Volkanovski twice. Meanwhile, his seven UFC wins feature five finishes.
Physical Profile and Background
Lopes stands 5-foot-11 with a 72-inch reach. He fights from an orthodox stance with long levers. Furthermore, he was born in Manaus, Brazil, on December 30, 1994. Now he trains and lives in Puebla, Mexico.
He began Brazilian jiu-jitsu around age seven. Later, he earned a second-degree black belt under top coaches. He turned professional in 2012 and sharpened his game regionally. Eventually, he captured the LUX featherweight championship in Mexico.
He represents Lobo Gym MMA and Brazilian Warriors. His coaches sharpened his boxing without dulling his grappling. Consequently, he evolved from pure grappler into a complete fighter.
Career Timeline and Key Wins
Lopes accepted his octagon debut on short notice in 2023. He pushed Movsar Evloev hard despite the decision loss. Soon after, he stacked wins over ranked featherweights.
He took the Evloev fight on just days’ notice. Many expected a quick loss against the undefeated prospect. Instead, he won fans with a brave, competitive performance.
His resume includes Brian Ortega, Dan Ige, and Jean Silva. Additionally, knockouts of Sodiq Yusuff and Gavin Tucker showcased power. Most recently, he stopped Steve Garcia in round two. That victory closed the chapter on his featherweight run.
He challenged Alexander Volkanovski for the title in 2025. A rematch followed, but he lost again by decision. Still, two five-round title fights built rare experience. Consequently, he enters lightweight battle-tested and hungry.
Fighting Style
Striking Volume and Power
Lopes lands roughly 4.2 significant strikes per minute. His striking accuracy reaches 54 percent on attempts. Moreover, he walks opponents down with constant forward pressure. His uppercuts and elbows carry genuine knockout threat.
He averages 0.75 knockdowns per 15 minutes of action. That power produced 12 career knockout victories. However, he absorbs about 4.1 strikes per minute. Therefore, his bouts turn into wild, crowd-pleasing exchanges.
He favors elbows in the clinch and uppercuts inside the pocket. Occasionally, he uncorks spinning attacks to break his opponent’s rhythm. Thus, opponents struggle to predict his entries.
Submission Grappling and the Guillotine
Lopes averages 2.76 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His guillotine punishes opponents who shoot careless takedowns. In addition, he chains armbars, kimuras, and rear-naked chokes. Twelve of his wins ended with an opponent tapping.
He remains dangerous from his back on the mat. Opponents gain top position at their own risk. Furthermore, his scrambles create openings other fighters miss. Ultimately, his ground game forces constant defensive awareness.
He earned his black belt long before UFC fame arrived. His total mat time exceeds two decades of grappling. Therefore, his instincts under pressure remain automatic.
Defensive Metrics
Lopes defends 51 percent of incoming significant strikes. His takedown defense sits at 53 percent. Consequently, opponents can land on him and take him down. Still, his durability and guard make him hard to finish.
Strengths and Weaknesses
His greatest strength is his relentless finishing instinct. He hunts knockouts standing and submissions on the ground. Additionally, his five-round experience gives him championship composure.
- Finishing instinct: Hunts knockouts and submissions in every single round.
- Submission chains: Links guillotines, armbars, and chokes into seamless sequences.
- Championship experience: Went 25 hard rounds against elite title opposition.
- Defensive lapses: Absorbs heavy shots during wild striking exchanges.
- Takedown defense: Stops only 53 percent of wrestling attempts against him.
Lightweight Debut at UFC 335
Lopes meets former champion Charles Oliveira in the main event. Oliveira brings a dangerous Charles Oliveira fighting style built on pressure and submissions. Readers can compare both athletes in our Oliveira vs. Lopes prediction breakdown.
The bout headlines UFC 335 fight on December 12 in Las Vegas. It marks his first appearance at 155 pounds. Historically, he campaigned at featherweight with a single bantamweight appearance. Therefore, his size, power, and cardio face a fresh test.
A win would launch him into lightweight contention immediately. Even in defeat, his style guarantees entertainment. Either way, December 12 marks a career milestone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Diego Lopes’ Record?
Lopes holds a 28-8 professional record with 12 knockouts, 12 submissions, and 4 decisions.
How Old Is Diego Lopes?
He is 31 years old, born December 30, 1994, in Manaus, Brazil.
What Is Diego Lopes’ Fighting Style?
He blends high-volume pressure striking with elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission chains.
Has Diego Lopes Ever Won a UFC Title?
No, he challenged Alexander Volkanovski twice but lost both championship bouts by decision.
Who Does Diego Lopes Fight Next?
He faces Charles Oliveira in the UFC 335 lightweight main event on December 12.
Conclusion
Diego Lopes brings finishes, pressure, and championship experience to lightweight. His debut could reshape the division’s contender picture. Follow our UFC 335 coverage for fight-week updates, analysis, and results.
