Diego Lopes recalls conversation with family before leaving Brazil to live in Mexico: 'I'll only come back when I change your lives'

Diego lopes is currently third in the featherweight rankings. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @diegolopesmma

Diego lopes can achieve the greatest glory in MMA in less than a month. In case of victory against Alexander Volkanovsky in the main fight of UFC 314, the manaus native will become the first Brazilian since José Aldo to wear the Ultimate featherweight belt (up to 65,7 kg). However, the fighter's biggest goal began to be built more than ten years ago, long before stepping into the most famous octagon in the world.

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This Wednesday (26), in an interview with ESPN MMA, Diego recalled a conversation with his family before leaving Brazil to live in Mexico, when he was just 19 years old. At the time, he was invited by a coach to teach jiu-jitsu in the country. According to the Brazilian, his biggest motivation was to change the financial reality of his relatives.

“I never said I would come back, but I remember perfectly what I said to my parents and siblings. It was something like: 'I'm going, and I only want to see you again when I can give you a better life.' Things happened little by little, but today I can give them a better life. So keeping this promise was something that made me firm, because I left school and everything behind, so I couldn't fail them,” he said.

️Diego lopes:

“I remember perfectly some words I said to my mom and dad…

I said “I'm going there and I only want to come back and see you when I can provide a better life for you.”

@spnmma ▫️ pic.twitter.com/zN2aCxdhjD

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) March 26, 2025

Diego Lopes had great performances in the UFC

Diego's trajectory in the Ultimate has been impressive. After debuting with just five days' notice against Movsar Evloev and being defeated by unanimous decision, the Brazilian won five fights in a row, in addition to earning bonuses on three occasions. He currently occupies the third position in the featherweight category (up to 65,7 kg). In addition to fulfilling his promise to provide a better life for his family, he can make the dream of all MMA fighters in the world come true and take the UFC belt home.

Alexander Volkanovsky e Diego lopes will decide a new featherweight champion in UFC 314. Photo: Reproduction X UFC

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