Rising star Diego Lopes sets his sights on fighting and playing cornerman in two weeks when he travels to Las Vegas, Nevada. He fights on the Noche UFC (UFC 306) pay-per-view card, finally facing Brian Ortega. Close friend and training partner Alexa Grasso co-mains the Mexican celebration event. Lopes wants to be all in for the flyweight champion when her time comes.
Lopes and Brian ‘T-City’ Ortega will meet in the third bout of the Noche UFC main card at The ‘Sphere.’ They were previously scheduled to fight on the UFC 303 main card, but Ortega pulled out at the last moment. Now, Diego Lopes expects to corner Alexa Grasso when she faces Valentina Shevchenko for their flyweight trilogy showdown at UFC 306 on September 14th.
We have talked about this a lot, how we’re going to handle this, because I’ve been in her corner ever since she moved to 125… I teach her and learn from her, but we have no idea what we’re going to do. I’ll fight my fight, and then comes Alexa. It’s extra motivation to come out fine in this fight, to win quickly and rush to the locker room, change clothes and be in Alexa’s corner.
Diego Lopes to Guilherme Cruz for MMAFighting on SBN
What Lopes hopes to attain is totally out of the ordinary. Coaches have cornered in back-to-back fights. Trevor Wittman cornered Rose Namajunas and Kamaru Usman that way at UFC 268. However, Lopes is an active fighter who wants to corner Grasso in the very next bout. The UFC’s protocol remains unclear.
The Brazilian fighter improved to 4-1 after UFC 303. It set up a showdown between the top two BJJ masters in the featherweight class. Now, after overcoming Dan Ige, he is oozing with confidence. The only blockage is finishing the former two-time title challenger in short order. Brian ‘T-City’ Ortega has recently returned to the win column after overcoming an onslaught of strikes from Yair Rodriguez in February.
Alexa Grasso is also expected to be joined in the corner by Francisco Grasso, her uncle and head coach at Lobo Gym. Alessandro Costa, who will be competing at UFC Vegas 97 a week earlier, will also join up. Lopes said he had some extra thoughts on his placement as well.
Diego Lopes wanted to start his fight early at Noche UFC
Brian Ortega has a hard chin and an array of skills. He was brutally punished during his fights against Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. In both bouts, he didn’t quit and kept going. Subsequently, Diego Lopes and the team are prepping in full gear for it.
Diego Lopes wanted the matchup vs. Brian Ortega earlier (Source: UFC.go.com/X)The Brazilian has been on a roll, winning four straight in just under 11 months against Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, Sodiq Yusuff, and Dan Ige. As such, his star value has risen immensely. Though Lopes wanted to fight early, he understood why the UFC put him just under the co-main event bout.
I even told the guys I would have no problem being the first fight of the night, or two or three fights before [Grasso], so I can be there with her. But where we are on the card speaks of the great work we’re doing…
Diego Lopes further said (via MMAFighting on SBN)
It is interesting to note that the UFC appreciated everything Lopes did for them at UFC 303. First, he cut weight and learned that Ortega might not reach the weight limit. Soon, he accepted a 155-pound bout. After that, Ortega pulled out and Dan Ige came. Lopes was given the opportunity to not fight and receive his payment. However, he chose to fight regardless.
It has paid dividends for his career as champion Ilia Topuria thinks Lopes could fight next for the title if he defeats Ortega. The UFC also sees potential and putting him behind the co-main event is a testament to his rising star status.
