Surging UFC featherweight's "we started camp" post has Nina-Marie Daniele and fans buzzing: "Knock Movsar out in rematch please"

UFC featherweight rising star Diego Lopes has just started his first fight camp of 2025. No official opponent has been announced yet but considering the Brazilian slugger is currently No. 3 in the rankings, it could very well be for gold.

Lopes is on a five-fight winning streak with his latest victim being Brian Ortega at Noche UFC 306 last September. In his post-fight octagon interview, the Brazilian said that he's open to fighting anyone but mentioned he's interested in a "title fight" next.

Lopes recently took to Instagram and posted pictures from his training session, captioning them:

"We started camp"

Fans and MMA media personalities are excited for Lopes, with popular UFC interviewer Nina-Marie Daniele commenting:

"Future Champ! LFG Diego!!!!"

Meanwhile, @the0nlydre said:

"Knock Movsar out in rematch please"

Check out more comments below:

More comments. [Screenshots courtesy: @diegolopesmma on Instagram]

Lopes' last loss was when he made his promotional debut in 2023 against undefeated Russian star Movsar Evloev, who stands at No. 4 in the rankings. Despite fighting in the big leagues for the first time and taking the fight on short notice, Lopes took Evloev to the brink and won Fight of the Night honors. A rematch between the two would be a perfect title eliminator.

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Revisiting Diego Lopes vs. Movsar Evloev at UFC 288 in 2023

Diego Lopes stepped in on five days' notice to replace Bryce Mitchell to face Movsar Evloev at UFC 288 in May 2023. Evloev was 17-0 at the time with six straight wins in the UFC. It was a tough challenge for the debuting Brazilian.

Still, Lopes shocked Evloev early by hurting him on the feet, forcing the Russian to take the fight to the ground. Despite being on his back, Lopes nearly submitted Evloev by being relentless with his attacks.

In the second round, the same story continued with Lopes threatening and hurting his foe on the feet only to be taken down and controlled on the ground. With arguably 1-1 coming into the third round, Evloev leaned heavily on his grappling and took Lopes down early.

Exhausted and looking at a possible decision loss, Lopes threw caution to the wind and pretty much spammed his submission attempts off of his back. He was able to secure a deep Kimura lock which nearly ended the fight and a tight knee bar that was only broken up by the sound of the final horn.

Check out the full fight below: