Who has the best Jiu-jitsu in the UFC featherweight division? Diego Lopes is confident fans will soon have an answer. He will cross paths with former UFC title challenger Brian Ortega during International Fight Week. The duo were last-minute inclusions in the spectacular co-main event of UFC 303 on June 29.
Diego Lopes approaches his biggest UFC challenge yet. The #3 ranked featherweight Ortega might prove a challenge ahead for the Brazilian. However, the UFC newcomer can hold his own as a BJJ savant. Between the two of them, they have a combined 20 submission highlights. Lopes wants to expand on that.
I think if the fight goes to the ground, he’s a black belt, I’m a black belt and both of us have the skills necessary to neutralize each other…but also, the ability to test each other’s strengths…I definitely think this could define who’s got the best jiu-jitsu in the division.
Diego Lopes to Danny Segura of MMA Junkie Spanish, via Hablemos MMA (@HablemosMMA)
The 29-year-old had pleaded for two more fights by the end of the year, one for International Fight Week. With CEO Dana White’s constant teases of a spectacular UFC 306 Event on September 16, Lopes wanted in. Now that his appearance is earmarked for UFC 303, he believes their upcoming fight will define the best jiu-jitsu fighter in the UFC’s 145-pound division.
This marks Brain Ortega’s second “second” appearance in the same calendar. ‘T-City’ is fresh off a submission win over Yair Rodriguez at UFC Mexico City. Meanwhile, Lopes starched Sodiq Yusuff with a first-round TKO in April. Both are unscathed in their battles, minus that self-inflicted wobble of Ortega while warming up. When they hit the ground, it could prove a stylistic warfare between submission artists.
Diego Lopes: BJJ Clash against Brian Ortega has been a long time coming
In the co-main event of UFC 303 on June 29, Lopes (23-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC) will cross paths with the featherweight top dog. The 33-year-old Ortega is known for his ridiculous balance between switch stance striking and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prowess. Coming from Brazil, the turf of homegrown BJJ talents, Diego Lopes might have something to say about that.
Diego Lopes, Brian Ortega (Source: IMAGO/agfight.com)The two make up for some of the most dangerous submission artists in the UFC. Lopes is 3-1 in his last outings since making a mark under the UFC banner. His first win came via submission. ‘T-City’ is a 2-2 bleed in his last four, with a spectacular Round 3 Arm triangle submission at UFC Mexico City.
It’s due to these small little moments that both fighters hold the pedigree they do. Concurrently, Lopes says that this fight has been in the making for a long while now.
I remember when I got to the UFC..and I was climbing up the division, many were already asking for this fight. Not right now, but in the future to see who’s got the best jiu-jitsu. I think this comes at a great moment, a pay-per-view card, International Fight Week, co-main event – what a great moment to see who’s got the best jiu-jitsu…It’s going to be a war.
Diego Lopes via MMA Junkie Spanish
In only 13 months in the UFC, Lopes’ career has skyrocketed. From his rise in the rankings to his growing popularity with the fan base, Lopes looks forward to co-headlining his first UFC pay-per-view event. He also has had Ortega in his sight for a while due to similarity in style. Now, with a complete overhaul of the UFC 303 fight card, the duo gets to test out their skills at long last.
