Tonight’s UFC 295 main card opener featured a featherweight clash between Pat Sabatini and Diego Lopes.
The UFC made Maddison Square Garden in New York City their home for the night with a stellar card which promises to deliver under the bright lights. The card is headlined by Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira, who battle it out for the vacant light heavyweight title.
The penultimate bout sees UK heavyweight Tom Aspinall face off with Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight title. This bout materialized following the cancellation of Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic.
Diego Lopes vs. Pat Sabatini UFC 295
Sabatini and Lopes have the opportunity to set the pace for the fights that follow, being the main card opener. Both competitors will be looking to continue building momentum from their most recent performances.
UFC 295 marks Sabatini’s second outing of 2023, and he will be hopeful of picking up where he left off earlier this year when stopping Lucas Almeida in the second round at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Prior to that, Sabataini was handed his first loss inside the UFC to Damon Jackson. The loss to Jackson ended a four-fight win streak under the UFC banner for the 33-year-old, with wins over Tristan Conelley, Jammall Emmers, Tucker Lutz, and T.J Laramie.
Meanwhile, Lopes enters the bout (1-1 UFC). After a failed attempt to secure a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021, Lopes was awarded an opportunity to face Mosvar Evloev at UFC 288 but fell short on the scorecards. Two months later, and well prepared, Lopes bounced back with a round-one submission over Gavin Tucker.
What Unfolded?
Lopes showcased he’s the real deal after dispatching of Sabatini in the opening round at MSG. The bout started with both competitors feeling one another out, before Sabatini landing a right hand that stung Lopes. That was about as much success as Sabatini had as moments after he was on the opposite end of a right hand, which saw him scramble and ultimately get stopped by the Brazilian prospect.
Official result: Diego Lopes def. Pat Sabatini via KO (punches) – Round 1, 1:30.
What do you want to see next for Diego Lopes after his sensational win at UFC 295? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
