Diego Lopes continues to skyrocket in almost all facets.
In a UFC 300 featherweight prelim, Lopes (24-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC) blew through Sodiq Yusuff (13-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) with a TKO finish at the 1:29 mark of Round 1. The historic event took place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
In the opening seconds, Lopes rocked and dropped Yusuff, who hung tough and worked his way back to the feet. It wasn’t long before he was knocked back down by the swarming Lopes, who positioned himself on the back mount and hammered away until the referee stopped the fight.
Upon the stoppage, Lopes hopped the cage and embraced UFC CEO Dan White.
DIEGO LOPES GETS THE JOB DONE IN ROUND 1 ⚡ #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/RegBR9fz5B
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 14, 2024
Lopes, 29, continues to skyrocket his stock in what has been an impressive 11 months on the UFC roster. He’s won three consecutive fights since a short notice debut loss to Movsar Evloev. Despite that defeat, the performance caught the attention of the MMA world and did wonders for Lopes’ brand due to his competitiveness in light of the circumstances.
Yusuff, 30, loses consecutive fights for the first time in his professional career. He most recently competed in October in his first promotional main event when he lost a unanimous decision to Edson Barboza.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 300 results include:
- Diego Lopes def. Sodiq Yusuff via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:29
- Renato Moicano def. Jalin Turner via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:11
- Jessica Andrade def. Marina Rodriguez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Bobby Green def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 29-26)
- Deiveson Figueiredo def. Cody Garbrandt via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:02
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.
