Snubbed?! UFC 295 Standout Upset After Missing Featherweight Rankings

Diego Lopes has been one of the biggest surprises in the featherweight division in 2023, but the Brazilian fighter’s memorable success has yet to earn him a spot in the top 15.

Lopes, 28, made his UFC debut on short notice against Movsar Evloev at UFC 288 this past May. It was a tall task for the Octagon newcomer, but one he looked ready to achieve. Unfortunately, Evloev was simply too good and ended up winning a unanimous decision in a Fight of the Night showdown to push his unbeaten professional record to 17-0 (7-0 UFC).

Luckily for Lopes, he was given another chance to prove his worth. UFC matchmakers pit him up against veteran Gavin Tucker this past August and Lopes delivered a statement submission win just 100 seconds into the fight. It was so impressive that UFC brass booked the Brazilian finisher against dangerous contender Pat Sabatini for UFC 295 earlier this month. In shocking fashion, Lopes scored a blistering first-round knockout to hand Sabatini just his second loss under the UFC banner.

Given Lopes’ track record and the way he’s finished both of his last fights some fans expected to see his name in the featherweight top 15 earlier this week. The UFC’s 145-pound division is one of the deepest around, but Lopes has looked like a top 10 fighter and could do very well against the upper echelon of contenders in the division.

Unfortunately, Lopes will have to wait just a little longer to secure his official UFC ranking, which is not something he agrees with.

“Imagine this, your first fight is against a No. 10 in the world, and you give him the fight of his life,” Lopes told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “Your second fight, you fight (and submit) someone who was coming off a fight against No. 9 in the rankings. Then your next fight against Sabatini, you knock out someone who’s got a winning record in the UFC of 5-1.

“I’m not going to lie to you, I thought I could get a spot in the rankings. I think many people saw it that way too, but it didn’t happen. What can I do? That doesn’t depend on me making the rankings. What I need to do now is make it very clear I need a spot in the rankings. I need an opportunity. And even if that doesn’t come, I’ll keep working. That’s all I can do. I’m very motivated, and I’m very happy with everything that’s happening in my career. I will continue to win every fight the UFC puts in front of me until I get myself in the rankings. If you ask me, I think I’ve shown enough to deserve a spot in there. I’ve shown enough, but if they don’t see it that way, then I have to keep showing them. My next fight, I would love for it to be against a ranked fighter.”

Fortunately, Lopes still has a bright future as a member of the UFC roster. He’s turned in one of the more memorable 2023 campaigns and should have no issue locking down a meaningful opponent his next time out. The Brazilian fighter isn’t quite sure who that will be, but he has a few names on his list.

“Honestly, anyone that’s ranked,” Lopes said. “I think there are plenty of good names. There’s Alex Caceres, Sodiq Yusuff, Dan Ige, Edson Barboza. I want those guys who are from 10 to 15. There are plenty of names, but if I could pick, I want Bryce Mitchell, but if not him, someone that’s in the rankings.”