November 16, 2023 8:30 pm ET
Diego Lopes impressed many in his return to the octagon, however not sufficient to enter the UFC’s official featherweight rankings.
Lopes (23-6 MMA, 2-1 UFC) knocked out fellow prospect Pat Sabatini in simply 90 seconds this previous Saturday on the principle card of UFC 295 in New York Metropolis. He’s now on a two-fight successful streak, with each being first-round finishes. Previous to that, he had an in depth loss to unbeaten title contender Movsar Evloev in his short-notice UFC debut.
The Brazilian fighter advised MMA Junkie previous to the competition that he hoped to get ranked with a powerful win. Properly, the first-round KO win was spectacular sufficient to get him a $50,000 Efficiency of the Night time bonus, however not a spot on the promotion’s featherweight rankings – which is managed by a panel of media members.
“Think about this, your first battle is towards a No. 10 on the planet, and also you give him the battle of his life,” Lopes told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “Your second battle, you battle (and submit) somebody who was coming off a battle towards No. 9 within the rankings. Then your subsequent battle towards Sabatini, you knock out somebody who’s received a successful file within the UFC of 5-1. “I’m not going to deceive you, I assumed I may get a spot within the rankings. I feel many individuals noticed it that method too, nevertheless it didn’t occur. What can I do? That doesn’t rely upon me making the rankings. What I must do now’s make it very clear I want a spot within the rankings. I want a chance. And even when that doesn’t come, I’ll hold working. That’s all I can do. I’m very motivated, and I’m very pleased with the whole lot that’s taking place in my profession. I’ll proceed to win each battle the UFC places in entrance of me till I get myself within the rankings. In the event you ask me, I feel I’ve proven sufficient to deserve a spot in there. I’ve proven sufficient, but when they don’t see it that method, then I’ve to maintain exhibiting them. My subsequent battle, I’d love for it to be towards a ranked fighter.”
Though Lopes hoped to get ranked, he’s on no account dropping his motivation. The Lobo Fitness center and Brazilian Warriors product does hope that for his subsequent battle he both will get Bryce Mitchell or another person within the UFC’s official rankings.
“Actually, anybody that’s ranked,” Lopes mentioned. “I feel there are many good names. There’s Alex Caceres, Sodiq Yusuff, Dan Ige, Edson Barboza. I would like these guys who’re from 10 to fifteen. There are many names, but when I may decide, I would like Bryce Mitchell, but when not him, somebody that’s within the rankings.”
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