At Noche UFC 3 in San Antonio, Diego Lopes survived an early scare to rally for a dramatic second-round TKO over Jean Silva. Lopes dominated the first round with a takedown, mount, and heavy ground-and-pound, but Silva surged back in Round 2 with sharp combinations and damaging leg attacks. Lopes regained control late, landing a spinning back elbow followed by a barrage of punches that forced referee Mike Beltran to stop the fight at 4:48 of the second round, moving Lopes to 27-7 overall and solidifying his spot as the #2-ranked featherweight.
The next logical step for Lopes is a high-profile matchup with Aljamain Sterling. Sterling is a former UFC Bantamweight Champion who has successfully transitioned to the featherweight division and is currently ranked #5. A bout between Lopes and Sterling would provide a definitive test for both men and potentially determine the next title challenger at 145 pounds.
Stylistically, this matchup is intriguing. Lopes combines explosive striking, dangerous submissions, and relentless pressure with a willingness to take risks, while Sterling brings elite wrestling, suffocating back control, and improved striking to the featherweight division. Both fighters excel in scrambles and transitions, making for a high-paced, technical contest. For Lopes, it’s an opportunity to earn another marquee win and inch closer to another title shot. For Sterling, it’s a chance to cement himself as a true contender at 145 pounds by defeating one of the division’s most dynamic fighters.
Last Five Fights – Diego Lopes:
1. Win over Jean Silva – TKO (spinning back elbow and punches), Noche UFC 3 (September 13, 2025)
2. Loss to Alexander Volkanovski – Decision (unanimous), UFC 314 (April 12, 2025)
3. Win over Brian Ortega – Decision (unanimous), UFC 306 (September 14, 2024)
4. Win over Dan Ige – Decision (unanimous), UFC 303 (June 29, 2024)
5. Win over Sodiq Yusuff – TKO (punches), UFC 300 (April 13, 2024)
Last Five Fights – Aljamain Sterling:
1. Win over Brian Ortega – Decision (unanimous), UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang (August 23, 2025)
2. Loss to Movsar Evloev – Decision (unanimous), UFC 310 (December 7, 2024)
3. Win over Calvin Kattar – Decision (unanimous), UFC 300 (April 13, 2024)
4. Loss to Sean O’Malley – TKO (punches), UFC 292 (August 19, 2023)
5. Win over Henry Cejudo – Decision (split), UFC 288 (May 6, 2023)