Why was UFC debutant Diego Lopes at Alexa Grasso's fight? Find out how they're connected

Featherweight Diego Lopes made his debut at UFC 288 against unbeaten fighter Movsar Evloev and gave a solid account of himself. He has since amassed a three-fight win streak in the UFC, defeating the likes of Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, and Sodiq Yusuff.

Lopes has been spotted in UFC women's flyweight champion Alexa Grasso's corner in her recent fights. Grasso and Lopes both train and fight out of the same gym, Lobo Gym in Guadalajara, Mexico. The Brazilian featherweight serves as Grasso's jiu-jitsu coach and the two have known each other a long time.

The two possibly met while competing on the local Mexican mixed martial arts circuit, with Lopes having fought under various regional promotions such as XFL, Jasaji Fighting League, and Lux Fighting League. Grasso's association with Lopes was revealed to UFC fans in 2021 on Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) which Lopes was a participant in.

Alexa Grasso and Diego Lopes filmed an entire segment where the now flyweight champion can be seen helping the DWCS participant train while also displaying her support for him.

Check out the video of the two training on Dana White's Contender Series:

Lopes was also a key part of Grasso's championship win at UFC 285 as he worked with her for months on the winning move. The quick back take from Grasso that led her to lock in the rear-naked choke and secure the submission win over Valentina Shevchenko was practiced between the two for months.

Check out Lopes and Grasso's preparation for UFC 285:

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Diego Lopes and Alexa Grasso represent the elite batch of MMA fighters trained by famed Mexican coach

Alexa Grasso and Diego Lopes both train at the Lobo gym in Guadalajara, Mexico. Their coach, Francisco Grasso, is popularly known by his nickname 'Pancho' Grasso and has quietly transformed many Mexican fighters into world-class athletes.

'Pancho' is also Alexa Grasso's father and has played a crucial role in her and Lopes's development throughout the years. Lopes has been widely regarded as one of the UFC's best newcomers. Many experts believe that the 29-year-old might become a legitimate title contender in the foreseeable future.

If Lopes captures the UFC featherweight title, it will put "Pancho Grasso in the rare list of coaches like Greg Jackson, Javier Mendez, Rafael Cordeiro, and others, who produced more than one UFC champion.

Despite being a relatively unknown name, "Pancho" has coached several UFC fighters like Irene Aldana, Loopy Godinez, and Alessandro Costa.