Diego Lopes didn’t win the featherweight title at UFC 314 on Saturday, but he is not ashamed after going five rounds with Alexander Volkanovski, who is considered by many to be the greatest 145-pound fighter ever.
In less than two years since his UFC debut, Lopes headlined his first main event and gave Volkanovski a tough fight for five rounds. Lopes landed many significant strikes, but ultimately lost by decision, with judges scoring the fight 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 for Volkanovski.
On Sunday, Lopes released a short statement on social media about his defeat.
“Always with my head held high, a smile on my face,” Lopes said. “I fell short last night, I failed in some areas. I will return to work, improve, correct my mistakes, and move forward. Thank you to everyone for your support. As I always say, “NOTHING HAPPENS.”
There was no shame in Lopes’ performance. He and Volkanovski engaged in a Fight of the Night. Volkanovski also made history as the first fighter over 35 to win a title in a division of 155 pounds or less in the UFC.
Lopes appeared to start slowly in the first round, which is unusual for his aggressive style, but he turned things around in the second round after hitting Volkanovski with a strong punch and briefly knocking him down.
From that point on, Lopes constantly battled Volkanovski for control in the cage and landed many powerful strikes, as seen by Volkanovski’s bruised face after the fight.
Despite losing on the scorecards, Lopes praised Volkanovski in his post-fight interview in the octagon.
“It was an honor to share the octagon with a guy like Alexander Volkanovski,” Lopes said. “But I will be back. This is a very experienced fighter in the UFC. I can see myself improving. I’m going to get better, I’m going to come back and I’m going to be a champion.”
