In another injury to a UFC star right before their fight, Jon Jones is out of the UFC 295 main event with a torn tendon. This has caused the UFC to cancel his first title defense against heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic. The promotion has scheduled Tom Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight title for the MSG card, instead. And while fans were disappointed at the battle of the GOATs being canceled, there are many bouts on the card to keep them hooked.
The seemingly cursed light heavyweight title, which has been vacated twice in a row due to injury, will see a new champion at UFC 295 on November 11. Meanwhile, another bout many fans will be interested in is UFC featherweight Diego Lopes returning to the octagon after making waves with his previous UFC fight. And ahead of his third UFC bout, let us look at his martial arts background.
Is Diego Lopes a black belt?
Diego Lopes has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which he has used well to dominate his opponents on the ground during his career. The 28- year-old has gotten 55% of his 22 wins via submission. The Brazilian is coming off an impressive first-round submission victory over Gavin Tucker in a fight he took on short notice at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Font.
Lopes will take on another BJJ black belt, Pat Sabatini, in his third UFC bout. After his disappointing UFC debut, which he lost via a unanimous decision to Movsar Evloev at UFC 288, he came back strong in his second bout against Tucker. But despite the loss, Lopes made an impression in the MMA community with his performance.
Sabatini, however, will not be an easy opponent for the Brazilian as the American has dominated his 6-fight UFC career except for a TKO loss to Damon Jackson at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Font. And Lopes will be looking to extend his streak and put on a good show.
A win against Sabatini would help him get closer to getting ranked in the division. This fight may prove imperative on his journey to break into the top tier of the featherweight division and challenge legends like Max Holloway and champion Alexander Volkanovski. And unlike the featherweight bout, which is expected to be mostly a grappling contest, the main event promises to be a striking masterclass.
Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka booked for UFC 295 main event
Former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka will take on former middleweight champion Alex Pereira for the 205-pound title at UFC 295. Both are primarily strikers, with the Czech being noted for the dynamism and creativity of his striking.
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Pereira is also a former Glory kickboxing champion and has strong fundamentals with good form and technique, accompanied by significant power. The latter will perhaps be a bit less potent at the heavier weight class, but their stylistic match-up has fans excited for their clash. Who do you think will walk out the light heavyweight champion at UFC 295? Let us know in the comments section below.
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