With U.S. visa in hand, Diego Lopes hopes for UFC call: 'This is the perfect moment'

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Diego Lopes thinks he’s nearing his ultimate goal.

The LUX featherweight champion has been granted a U.S. work visa and could be just a potential phone call away from competing in a major MMA organization. Lopes (19-3) is considered one of the best prospects in Latin America today, and like many up-and-coming fighters, the Brazilian’s goal is to reach the UFC.

“I had an appointment for the visa, but unfortunately they canceled it. Two, three weeks later, we got another appointment for the visa, and now we have it and we’re ready for the call,” Lopes told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “If we get the call, we’re going to be ready. (The visa) is what we were missing, so we’re just waiting for the call and we’ll be waiting. I’m ready for that moment.”

Lopes, who competes at 145 pounds, is open to fight at his natural weight or even lightweight if the opportunity comes knocking. And with more than 20 professional fights under his belt, the 26-year-old thinks this is the ideal moment for a call to the big leagues.

“If I’m being real, I do think this is the perfect moment because whenever I’m fighting MMA, I’m also competing in jiu-jitsu – so I’m always very active” Lopes said. “I’ve had the fortune that in every event that I’ve competed in, I’ve been champion. Since the time I started until now, I have four titles in different organizations and I think that’s prepared me for when the moment comes.”

It’s been a long road for Lopes to get to this point of his career, and one in which he’s sacrificed plenty. The Brazilian Warriors and Lobo Gym product already has dreamed and played in his head getting the opportunity to fight in the UFC. Lopes is hopeful the time comes soon and is eager for the chance to test himself with the best.

“I have thought about it a lot,” Lopes said. “I think when the opportunity comes, a whole movie is going to play in my head with everything that I’ve been through – leaving my hometown at 19 years old and get to Mexico at 20, being far away from my family, and sacrificing many things to make this dream happen. So if the opportunity comes, I’m going to hug it, hold on tight and not let it get by.”