Tag: Diego Lopes

Arman Tsarukyan’s fight purse withheld by NSAC after fan incident at UFC 300, faces disciplinary action

Over $30,000 of Arman Tsarukyan's fight purse withheld by NSAC following viral fan incident at UFC 300Arman Tsarukyan is facing disciplinary action following an altercation with a fan at UFC 300. As ‘Ahalkalakets’ made his…

Over $30,000 of Arman Tsarukyan's fight purse withheld by NSAC following viral fan incident at UFC 300

Arman Tsarukyan is facing disciplinary action following an altercation with a fan at UFC 300.

As ‘Ahalkalakets’ made his way to the Octagon for his main card clash with former lightweight world champion Charles Oliveira at the landmark event in Las Vegas, Tsarukyan engaged in a brief scuffle with a fan in the crowd. Video of the incident quickly made its way online, showing the 155-pound contender throwing a punch at someone seated near the entryway.

“He showed me ‘F*ck you’ and he wanted to punch me and I wanted to punch him back,” Tsarukyan explained at the post-fight press conference. “That’s it. So guys, no one show me ‘F*ck you.’ It doesn’t matter who you are, I’m going to punch you in the face.”

Unfortunately, it looks like Tsarukyan’s physical retaliation is going to cost him.

Per a report from Damon Martin of MMA Fighting, Tsarukyan’s fight purse was $158,000, of which 20% — or $31,600 — is being withheld by the Nevada State Athletic Commission until a full disciplinary hearing can be held in May. In addition to a potential fine, ‘Ahalkalakets’ could also face suspension by the NSAC.

Arman Tsarukyan

The commission did note that the fan involved in the incident opted not to press charges and has also made it clear that he has no intention of suing the UFC.

Arman Tsarukyan

Arman Tsarukyan isn’t the only fighter facing disciplinary action following UFC 300

Before Arman Tsarukyan’s viral incident, Diego Lopes delivered a highlight-reel knockout on the night, dispatching Sodiq Yusuff in the opening round of their preliminary bout.

Lopes walked away with $100,000, but $5,000 of that is now being withheld by the NSAC after Lopes hopped over the Octagon wall to greet UFC CEO Dana White — something he was specifically advised not to do.

Diego Lopes

The NSAC commissioner claims that White permitted Lopes to exit the cage and that the UFC CEO allegedly said, “I will pay his fine.”

The commission will review video evidence of each incident, specifically the incident with Tsarukyan, before levying a decision on both matters.

Diego Lopes

Diego Lopes steamrolls past Sodiq Yusuff with flattening knockout win – UFC 300 Highlights

Diego Lopes steamrolls past Sodiq Yusuff with blistering first round knockout UFC 300 HighlightsSurging Brazilian contender, Diego Lopes continues his roughshod run through featherweight contenders tonight on the late preliminary card of…

Diego Lopes steamrolls past Sodiq Yusuff with blistering first round knockout UFC 300 Highlights

Surging Brazilian contender, Diego Lopes continues his roughshod run through featherweight contenders tonight on the late preliminary card of UFC 300 — blowing through Nigerian contender, Sodiq Yusuff for a blistering opening round knockout.

Diego Lopes UFC 300
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Lopes, an alum of Dana White’s Contender Series — rebounded from a close decision loss to the highly-touted, Movsar Evloev in his short-notice Octagon debut, racking up an armbar submission win over Gavin Tucker, before turning in a KO win over Pat Sabatini.

Diego Lopes UFC 300 Zuffa LLC
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

And getting the well-travelled, Yusuff out of there within a minute and a half of the first round in their featherweight scrap at UFC 300, finishing sensation, Lopes dropped the former with a tight uppercut in the clinch, before Yusuff managed to gather his senses.

lopes ufc 300
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

However, it would prove only momentarily for Yusuff, who was sent to the canvas once more by Lopes with another sharp uppercut in the clinch, before he forced the issue with a slew of ground strikes for a first round knockout win.

Below, catch the highlights from Diego Lopes’ victory against Sodiq Yusuff at UFC 300

UFC 308 Backup Diego Lopes Hopes He Isn’t Needed For Main Event Between Topuria & Holloway

Following his decisive win over Brian Ortega at UFC 306, Diego Lopes called to be the backup fighter in Abu Dhabi this weekend. In the main event, Ilia Topuria puts his featherweight title on the line for the first time at UFC 308 when he takes on the former champion, Max Holloway. It’s undoubtedly one […]

Continue Reading UFC 308 Backup Diego Lopes Hopes He Isn’t Needed For Main Event Between Topuria & Holloway at MMA News.

Following his decisive win over Brian Ortega at UFC 306, Diego Lopes called to be the backup fighter in Abu Dhabi this weekend. In the main event, Ilia Topuria puts his featherweight title on the line for the first time at UFC 308 when he takes on the former champion, Max Holloway.

It’s undoubtedly one of the biggest fights of the year so having another top contender on location and ready to make weight just in case is always a great plan B to have in the back pocket. This is especially true when you have someone like Lopes who as we saw earlier this year at UFC 303, is always down to step in there and fight whatever the circumstances are.

The Brazilian is currently riding a five-fight win streak so is seemingly just one win away from earning his title shot but in the case that something unfortunate happens, that could come as soon as just three days time.

However, despite calling for and receiving this opportunity, Lopes doesn’t have his fingers crossed that one man has to withdraw so that he can fight for the title on October 26. Just like all the fight fans around the world, the #3-ranked contender is stoked to watch this incredible match-up take place at the Etihad Arena.

He spoke in an interview with MMA Junkie that though he’s taking all the steps that he needs to take during fight week, he’s excited to watch it go down on Saturday night even if he isn’t involved.

“I’m waiting for everything bro but I’m so excited too to watch the fight. I hope on Friday morning, everything is okay, the guys stay healthy for the fight on Saturday night. I’m so excited for this fight.”

Lopes followed up, stating that though he wants to watch that fight take place this weekend, that will not get in the way of him taking the fight if the UFC pick up the phone.

“Yeah, I hope it is. I hope it is but if UFC need me, I’m waiting.”

Continue Reading UFC 308 Backup Diego Lopes Hopes He Isn’t Needed For Main Event Between Topuria & Holloway at MMA News.

Diego Lopes Responds To Alexander Volkanovski Proposing Interim Title Fight In Australia

The UFC announced on October 16 that it will be returning to Sydney, Australia on February 8 for UFC 312 at the Qudos Bank Arena. Following the announcement, one of the biggest names from this region spoke to the press about bringing the Octagon back down under. Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has been […]

Continue Reading Diego Lopes Responds To Alexander Volkanovski Proposing Interim Title Fight In Australia at MMA News.

The UFC announced on October 16 that it will be returning to Sydney, Australia on February 8 for UFC 312 at the Qudos Bank Arena. Following the announcement, one of the biggest names from this region spoke to the press about bringing the Octagon back down under.

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has been biding his time and taking some well deserved rest in recent months ahead of the upcoming title fight at UFC 308.

After losing his belt to Ilia Topuria in February, “The Great” is waiting to get a rematch once “El Matador” faces Max Holloway later this month in his first title defense. Speaking to the media in an interview published by Submission Radio, Volkanovski said that he could be interested in other fights if this doesn’t materialize in time for Sydney.

He said that an interim title fight against the #3-ranked contender Diego Lopes would interest him if it means fighting in front of his home fans once again.

“Anything with gold with it, I’ll be happy. That’ll just lock me in for whoever it is that wins that anyway. So even if it’s interim, that’s still a big one. I’d say it’d be an exciting one with Lopes, if that was going to happen. If not, it’s Max or Ilia.”    

Via a post on social media, Lopes also signed off on the idea of stepping inside the Octagon in Sydney next time out. The Brazilian called for a fight with Volkanovski following his latest win over Brian Ortega at UFC 306 in September.

It seems unlikely that the UFC will put an interim title on the line in this division but with Volkanovski only wanting to compete for gold, this clash taking place in Australia could justify it. Lopes’ response was perfectly to the point.

Continue Reading Diego Lopes Responds To Alexander Volkanovski Proposing Interim Title Fight In Australia at MMA News.

Alexander Volkanovski Agrees To Fight Diego Lopes Over Winner Of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway On One Condition

Before anyone could say Jack Robinson, Diego Lopes has become the No. 3 ranked UFC featherweight contender in the world. He lost his Dana White’s Contender Series fight in September 2021 and racked up two wins in Lux Fight League and Fury FC before making his UFC debut against Movsar Evloev on short notice in […]

Continue Reading Alexander Volkanovski Agrees To Fight Diego Lopes Over Winner Of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway On One Condition at MMA News.

Before anyone could say Jack Robinson, Diego Lopes has become the No. 3 ranked UFC featherweight contender in the world. He lost his Dana White’s Contender Series fight in September 2021 and racked up two wins in Lux Fight League and Fury FC before making his UFC debut against Movsar Evloev on short notice in May 2023.

Although Lopes lost the Evloev fight, his impressive performance solidified his position in the promotion. Since then, he’s won five fights in a row and following the latest victory over Brian Ortega, he’s eyeing a title fight or a title eliminator with Alexander Volkanovski.

The former UFC featherweight kingpin has finally revealed what would compel him to take on Lopes instead of the winner of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway…

Alexander Volkanovski Reveals The Only Scenario Where Fighting Diego Lopes Would Make Sense For Him

Volkanovski appeared on the Submission Radio YouTube channel to clear the air around his next fight. When asked about Lopes, “The Great” stuck to what he’s been saying ever since losing the title. He’ll return to fight for the undisputed UFC featherweight championship and he’ll share the Octagon with Lopes if a title is involved.

Volk presented a scenario where either Holloway or Topuria might need time off after their UFC 308 showdown. He remembered that Holloway also has the BMF belt and can move up weight classes which might incentivize the UFC to make an interim title fight.

“If it was going to be him next, you know, something would have to happen to one of the guys, you know, from the fight where they get injured or move divisions or whatnot, you know. And there’s an interim title or something like that, obviously I’m not scared of nobody but I’ll fight for the title and that’s that. So that’s the only way that sort of happens, but you know you never know what happens right? Like the boys, the guys are fighting. Max has got a BMF belt. What’s he going to do if, you know? If Max wins, what’s his next fight? Is he defending the featherweight belt straight away or is he going BMF so that could open the door for maybe a, you know, an interim or something.”

So, an interim title fight is the only thing that would motivate Volkanovski to fight Lopes. Volk being Volk, he didn’t entirely rule out the possibility of a non-title fight with the Brazilian prospect. However, he seems adamant about returning to only fight for the featherweight belt for now.

Continue Reading Alexander Volkanovski Agrees To Fight Diego Lopes Over Winner Of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway On One Condition at MMA News.

Aljamain Sterling Excited At Prospect Of Facing Diego Lopes In Title Eliminator After UFC 307

It’s a huge few weeks for the UFC’s featherweight division leading up to UFC 308, where the champion will be making his first title defense. Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway is one of the most anticipated fights of the year, but in the meantime, there’s still plenty of movement to happen at the top of […]

Continue Reading Aljamain Sterling Excited At Prospect Of Facing Diego Lopes In Title Eliminator After UFC 307 at MMA News.

It’s a huge few weeks for the UFC’s featherweight division leading up to UFC 308, where the champion will be making his first title defense.

Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway is one of the most anticipated fights of the year, but in the meantime, there’s still plenty of movement to happen at the top of the division.

Diego Lopes earned his spot in the top five this past weekend at UFC 306 (Noche UFC), where he defeated former two-time title challenger Brian Ortega.

However, despite his incredible rise after losing his UFC debut, Lopes could need one more win in order to earn a title shot, and his next opponent could be decided at UFC 307…

Aljamain Sterling Talks About The Potential Of Facing Diego Lopes In A Title Eliminator

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is looking to earn back-to-back wins at 145 pounds when he clashes with the undefeated Movsar Evloev on October 5 in Salt Lake City.

Whoever wins that fight will be in a great position to fight someone right near the top of the rankings which, as Sterling pointed out, could end up being Lopes.

In an interview with Submission Radio, “Funk Master” laid out his idea of how things will play out.

“I can see, because (Alexander) Volkanovski’s guaranteed his next title shot no matter who wins between Ilia and Holloway, that Lopes is probably gonna have to fight again. So, I would imagine that between the the winner of myself and Movsar, I think that’ll probably end up being the next title challenger.”

Sterling also said that off the back of Lopes’ win over Ortega, this is a fight that gets him excited because he sees the Brazilian as a tough test.

Getting past the undefeated Russian is a big hurdle in the first place, but a fight with Lopes would have huge title implications for the winner.

“It definitely is an exciting time for the featherweight division and for myself because that’s not an easy fight and that excites me. That’s the most exciting part about it.”

Continue Reading Aljamain Sterling Excited At Prospect Of Facing Diego Lopes In Title Eliminator After UFC 307 at MMA News.