Tag: Diego Lopes

What’s Next After UFC 305? Full Confirmed Noche UFC Main Card For The Sphere On September 14

UFC 305 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering. The promotion was in Perth, Australia, last week, where the RAC Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest visit Down Under. Of note were victories for UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du […]

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UFC 305 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering.

The promotion was in Perth, Australia, last week, where the RAC Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest visit Down Under. Of note were victories for UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis, former interim flyweight title challenger Kai Kara-France, and lightweight fan favorite Dan Hooker.

While the aftermath of the August 17 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the middleweight title picture to the bantamweight and women’s flyweight championship conversations.

At Noche UFC (UFC 306), an event set to celebrate Mexican Independance Day inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 14, reigning 135-pound kingpin Sean O’Malley will compete for the second time this year. After defeating Marlon Vera, “Sugar” will make his second defense of the gold in a long-awaited grudge match against top contender Merab Dvalishvili.

There will also be title stakes in the co-headliner, as flyweight queen Alexa Grasso completes her trilogy with the legendary Valentina Shevchenko. The pair previously fought to a draw at the first installment of Noche UFC last September and have since coached opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter.

Ortega & Lopes Among Those Setting The Stage For Title Headliners At UFC 30

Before O’Malley defends his championship and the promotion’s top female flyweights run it back again, a mix of veterans and prospects will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their positions on the major card.

That includes former two-time featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega and the up-and-coming Diego Lopes, who will give their matchup a second chance at making it to the Octagon. After a same-day withdrawal from “T-City” saw the Mexico-residing Brazilian face and defeat Dan Ige at International Fight Week instead, Lopes will have the opportunity to crack the top five in rearranged clash with Ortega.

Prior to that, highly touted Mexican prospects Daniel Zellhuber and Ronaldo Rodriguez will open the main card against Esteban Ribovics and Ode’ Osbourne, respectively, while notable names like Irena Aldana and Raul Rosas Jr. will feature on the prelims.

See below for the full UFC 306 card, as it stands.

Main Card:

  • Sean O’Malley (C) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (bantamweight championship main event)
  • Alexa Grasso (C) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (flyweight championship co-main event)
  • Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes (featherweight)
  • Daniel Zellhuber vs. Estaban Ribovics (lightweight)
  • Ronaldo Rodriguez vs. Ode’ Osbourne (flyweight)

Preliminary Card:

  • Manuel Torres vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (lightweight)
  • Irena Aldana vs. Norma Dumont (women’s bantamweight)
  • Edgar Cháirez vs. Kevin Borjas (flyweight)
  • Yazmin Jauregui vs. Ketlen Souza (women’s strawweight)
  • Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng (bantamweight)
Diego Lopes
Image: UFC.com

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Alexa Grasso & Diego Lopes Fights Confirmed For Noche UFC Main Card At The Sphere

Mexican fan favorites Alexa Grasso and Diego Lopes will get their expected appearances at the high-profile Noche UFC event at the Sphere this Fall. After its successful inaugural celebration of Mexican Independence Day last September, Las Vegas will once again play host to the UFC’s festivities for the occasion in 2024, this time at a […]

Continue Reading Alexa Grasso & Diego Lopes Fights Confirmed For Noche UFC Main Card At The Sphere at MMA News.

Mexican fan favorites Alexa Grasso and Diego Lopes will get their expected appearances at the high-profile Noche UFC event at the Sphere this Fall.

After its successful inaugural celebration of Mexican Independence Day last September, Las Vegas will once again play host to the UFC’s festivities for the occasion in 2024, this time at a grander venue.

Instead of the T-Mobile Arena, this year’s iteration of Noche UFC will play out inside the Sphere in the form of UFC 306. Ever since vowing to stage the first live sporting event there, UFC CEO Dana White has promised a first-of-a-kind event that will leave the fanbase in awe.

And as the September 14 date fast approaches, the UFC 306 lineup has taken shape.

White revealed the main card in a social media video this week, confirming that Sean O’Malley will defend his bantamweight title in the main event opposite Merab Dvalishvili.

There will also be championship stakes in the co-headliner, as Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko complete their trilogy a year on from their Noche UFC main event concluding in a controversial draw.

Lopes, Grasso’s teammate and jiu-jitsu coach, also has a major assignment set for the Sphere. The rising featherweight was expected to feature on the card following his latest triumph at UFC 303 last month.

The Mexico-residing Brazilian got the better of Dan Ige in a same-day booking that came about following the late withdrawal of Brian Ortega due to illness.

For Noche UFC on Sept. 14, those two will attempt for their matchup to make it to the Octagon at the second time of trying, with the promotion opting to rebook Lopes against “T-City” despite talk of the former featherweight title challenger moving up in weight.

Joining those three fights on the main card will be two more Mexicans in Daniel Zellhuber and Ronaldo Rodriguez, who will share the cage with Esteban Ribovics and Ode’ Osbourne, respectively.

Meanwhile, you can check out the current fights expected to take place on the preliminary card below:

  • Manuel Torres vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
  • Irene Aldana vs. Norma Dumont
  • Edgar Chairez vs. Kevin Borjas
  • Yazmin Jáuregui vs. Ketlen Souza
  • Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng

Continue Reading Alexa Grasso & Diego Lopes Fights Confirmed For Noche UFC Main Card At The Sphere at MMA News.

Aljamain Sterling Moves On From Movsar Evloev Matchup, Targets Different Ranked Featherweight For The Sphere

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has appeared to lose patience with the undefeated Movsar Evloev. Sterling announced his arrival in the featherweight division with a successful divisional debut at UFC 300 this past March. “Funk Master” utilized his grappling to limit all of Calvin Kattar’s offense en route to the scorecards. Since then, much […]

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Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has appeared to lose patience with the undefeated Movsar Evloev.

Sterling announced his arrival in the featherweight division with a successful divisional debut at UFC 300 this past March. “Funk Master” utilized his grappling to limit all of Calvin Kattar’s offense en route to the scorecards.

Since then, much of the discussion regarding Sterling’s sophomore outing at 145 pounds has involved Evloev, who sits three places above the ex-bantamweight at #5 in the rankings.

While the pair expressed mutual interest in the fight, they’ve since been at odds over its apparent delay, with both throwing blame at one another.

Evidently, Sterling has now had enough of that back and forth…

Sterling Adjusts Sights From Evloev To Lopes

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sterling provided an update on his future plans, as he looks to climb toward the gold at 145 pounds in pursuit of two-division glory.

With a lengthy period of discourse with Evloev not resulting in an official booking, “Funk Master” expressed frustration at the Russian’s ongoing “excuses.”

And with that, he has a fresh name in mind for his desired appearance at the Sphere for Noche UFC this fall.

“Stay tuned. Hopefully we’ll have some fight news for you guys. I’m thinking about Aljamain Sterling vs. Diego Lopes as the Sphere,” Sterling said. “That has a nice ring to it.

“Movsar, I don’t know what the hell he’s doing. I gave him a date, he hasn’t accepted yet. He started making all these excuses,” Sterling continued. “Either you want to fight on my terms or I’ll go fight somebody else. So, Diego Lopes, if you oblige, let’s make it happen at the Sphere, September 14.”

Interestingly, Evloev’s different take on why the long-discussed fight with Sterling isn’t coming to fruition has also led him to the doorstep of Lopes and a potential rematch.

Lopes is one of the fastest-rising names in the division, having followed a competitive short-notice debut against Evloev last May with four straight wins, the first three of which came in the opening round.

Most recently, the Mexico-based Brazilian defeated Dan Ige in a UFC 303 matchup that came about on just hours’ notice following the extremely late withdrawal of Brian Ortega.

While Lopes remains outside the top 10 and four places below Sterling in the featherweight pecking order, “Funk Master” seemingly wants to capitalize on the hype around the 29-year-old’s name on a major platform this September.

Continue Reading Aljamain Sterling Moves On From Movsar Evloev Matchup, Targets Different Ranked Featherweight For The Sphere at MMA News.

Aljamain Sterling offers to fight Diego Lopes in huge UFC 306 battle: ‘I want him at The Sphere’

Aljamain Sterling calls for fight with Diego Lopes at UFC 306 I want him at The SphereFormer undisputed bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling is hoping to book his sophomore featherweight clash at UFC 306 – regardless…

Aljamain Sterling calls for fight with Diego Lopes at UFC 306 I want him at The Sphere

Former undisputed bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling is hoping to book his sophomore featherweight clash at UFC 306 – regardless if that comes against Movsar Evloev or not, as he calls out recent winner, Diego Lopes for a huge bout at the Noche event.

Sterling, a former undisputed bantamweight champion and a record-setting gold holder at 135lbs pounds, landed at number eight in the featherweight ranks off the back of his impressive victory at UFC 300.

Aljo UFC 300

Making his divisional bow in April, Uniondale native, Sterling turned in a one-sided unanimous decision triumph against perennial contender, Calvin Kattar, despite receiving criticizm from promotional officials as well as fans in attendance.

Aljamain Sterling offers to fight Diego Lopes at UFC 306

And despite remaining open to a showdown with surging Russian contender, Evloev in his next outing at the featherweight limit, Sterling has now switched his attention to Brazilian star, Lopes – who is fresh from a short-notice win over Dan Ige at UFC 303 at the end of last month.

lopes

“Movsar Evloev, I don’t know what he’s doing,” Aljamain Sterling said on his YouTube channel. “I gave him a date and he hasn’t accepted it yet, he’s been making all these excuses. Either, you fight on my terms, or I fight somebody else. So, Diego Lopes, if you oblige, let’s make it happen at The Sphere, on September 14.”

Fresh from a decision win over Ige on just four hours’ notice at UFC 303 last weekend, Lopes made his promotional bow on short-notice against the above-mentioned, Evloev, pushing him the distance over the course of three rounds in a close loss.

Aljamain Sterling rips sad champion Sean O'Malley you're not a real man my guy
Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato

In the time since, Manaus-born contender, Lopes – who currently holds the number twelve rank at the featherweight limit, has landed victories over Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, and a blistering knockout of Sodiq Yusuff to go with his win against Ige last month.

Who wins in a future featherweight showdown: Aljamain Sterling or Diego Lopes?

Aljamain Sterling offers to fight Diego Lopes in huge UFC 306 battle: ‘I want him at The Sphere’

Aljamain Sterling calls for fight with Diego Lopes at UFC 306 I want him at The SphereFormer undisputed bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling is hoping to book his sophomore featherweight clash at UFC 306 – regardless…

Aljamain Sterling calls for fight with Diego Lopes at UFC 306 I want him at The Sphere

Former undisputed bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling is hoping to book his sophomore featherweight clash at UFC 306 – regardless if that comes against Movsar Evloev or not, as he calls out recent winner, Diego Lopes for a huge bout at the Noche event.

Sterling, a former undisputed bantamweight champion and a record-setting gold holder at 135lbs pounds, landed at number eight in the featherweight ranks off the back of his impressive victory at UFC 300.

Aljo UFC 300

Making his divisional bow in April, Uniondale native, Sterling turned in a one-sided unanimous decision triumph against perennial contender, Calvin Kattar, despite receiving criticizm from promotional officials as well as fans in attendance.

Aljamain Sterling offers to fight Diego Lopes at UFC 306

And despite remaining open to a showdown with surging Russian contender, Evloev in his next outing at the featherweight limit, Sterling has now switched his attention to Brazilian star, Lopes – who is fresh from a short-notice win over Dan Ige at UFC 303 at the end of last month.

lopes

“Movsar Evloev, I don’t know what he’s doing,” Aljamain Sterling said on his YouTube channel. “I gave him a date and he hasn’t accepted it yet, he’s been making all these excuses. Either, you fight on my terms, or I fight somebody else. So, Diego Lopes, if you oblige, let’s make it happen at The Sphere, on September 14.”

Fresh from a decision win over Ige on just four hours’ notice at UFC 303 last weekend, Lopes made his promotional bow on short-notice against the above-mentioned, Evloev, pushing him the distance over the course of three rounds in a close loss.

Aljamain Sterling rips sad champion Sean O'Malley you're not a real man my guy
Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato

In the time since, Manaus-born contender, Lopes – who currently holds the number twelve rank at the featherweight limit, has landed victories over Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, and a blistering knockout of Sodiq Yusuff to go with his win against Ige last month.

Who wins in a future featherweight showdown: Aljamain Sterling or Diego Lopes?

Eric Nicksick Admits Last-Minute Technique Advice To Dan Ige May Have Cost Him UFC 303 Fight Against Diego Lopes: ‘My Heart Hurt…’

For his short-notice co-main event fight with Diego Lopes at UFC 303, Eric Nicksick was in Dan Ige’s corner. By coaching two former UFC champs, Francis Ngannou and Sean Strickland, Nicksick has gained a ton of acclaim in MMA circles. At UFC 303, the coach had an unprecedented challenge as Ige only had four hours […]

Continue Reading Eric Nicksick Admits Last-Minute Technique Advice To Dan Ige May Have Cost Him UFC 303 Fight Against Diego Lopes: ‘My Heart Hurt…’ at MMA News.

For his short-notice co-main event fight with Diego Lopes at UFC 303, Eric Nicksick was in Dan Ige’s corner. By coaching two former UFC champs, Francis Ngannou and Sean Strickland, Nicksick has gained a ton of acclaim in MMA circles.

At UFC 303, the coach had an unprecedented challenge as Ige only had four hours to weigh in, rehydrate, and, well, also figure out his in-fight strategy. Their goal was to fight on instincts which, to be fair, worked pretty well.

Showing his durability, “50k” survived Lopes’ explosive striking and constricting ground game in the first two rounds and outstruck the Brazilian in the third. A last-minute adjustment suggested by coach Nicksick worked against him, though, and may have cost him the UFC 303 co-main event.

Eric Nicksick Looks Back At Mistake That Likely Cost Dan Ige A Round Against Diego Lopes At UFC 303

Nicksick and Ige appeared on the UFC 303 recap episode of the Anik & Florian Podcast uploaded on the DraftKings YouTube channel. Remembering the fight, Nicksick admitted that he shouldn’t have asked Ige to throw a head kick.

“To be honest with you, I’ve been having a little bit of sleepless nights because I f****d up going into round. In round two, I called for the same side head kick. Something that I thought, because no one’s ever seen Dan throw it.”

Nicksick expected the side head kick to surprise Lopes as Ige had only recently added the move to his arsenal. “50k” followed these instructions two minutes into the second round. The kick landed but also helped Lopes secure a takedown.

“It was the same side high when Dan went southpaw. And he threw it, and the shin bone landed on this dude’s head but we got taken down. And I looked over at Kai and I’m like, I just f****d us. Dude, my gut, I was like, I just f****d this man, my heart hurt.”

Despite the takedown and three minutes of control time, Ige constantly fought off his back and prevented his opponent from submitting him.

Unfortunately, due to the takedown, the round was scored by the judges for Lopes. And despite comfortably winning the third round, Ige lost a unanimous decision 29-28 on all scorecards.

Continue Reading Eric Nicksick Admits Last-Minute Technique Advice To Dan Ige May Have Cost Him UFC 303 Fight Against Diego Lopes: ‘My Heart Hurt…’ at MMA News.