But this time last year, the Brazilian was on the outside looking in, riding a two-fight winning streak, but still waiting for his call up to the big show.
“My goal at the time was just to stay ready when the opportunity presented itself,” Lopes said through an interpreter. “I knew it was only a matter of time before I got the call to fight in the UFC, so I was preparing like I was already under contract and just waiting for my next assignment. At that point, I really thought the call would come soon.
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It made. On May 6, 2023, he made his short-term UFC debut against the undefeated Movsar Evloev. After three rounds, Evloev kept the “0” in his loss column, but it was Lopes who made headlines for his Fight of the Night effort. Two Performance of the Night finishes from Gavin Tucker and Pat Sabatini followed, and everything changed.
Not bad for a “new” guy with 29 professional fights.
Lopes laughs.