The stock of rising featherweight contender Diego Lopes skyrocketed earlier tonight (Sat., April 13, 2024) at UFC 300 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the Brazilian finisher stopped veteran striker Sodiq Yusuff with a nasty first-round TKO (punches). It was a great way to stake claim to a $300,000 post-fight bonus.
Lopes, who has received one of the loudest pops this week, is growing in popularity by the fight. He had captured back-to-back finishes coming into this high-profile affair against a ranked contender and had no issue continuing his dominant ways. It was a serious eye opener for the rest of the division.
It didn’t take long for Lopes to catch Yusuff with a nasty uppercut inside. Yusuff instantly dropped to the canvas as Lopes rushed in for heavy punches. They were landing, but the referee let Yusuff defend and he eventually returned to his feet. That’s when Lopes scored another brutal knockdown that really had Yusuff in trouble. Lopes was able to close the show this time with a collection of punches from top control.
Check out the final moments below:
DIEGO LOPES GETS THE JOB DONE IN ROUND 1 ? #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/RegBR9fz5B
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 14, 2024
Lopes, 29, is now 3-1 as a member of the UFC roster. He’s one of the most popular featherweights in the sport right now and this knockout finish should land him a shot at the top 10 his next time out. The Brazilian called for a rematch with No. 5-ranked Movsar Evloev — who he lost to in his UFC debut — but we’ll see if the promotion is interested to book it.
For complete UFC 300 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.