Diego Lopes Stops Steve Garcia in Round 2 at UFC Freedom 250 Opener
Updated
Updated · POST Wrestling · Jun 14
Diego Lopes Stops Steve Garcia in Round 2 at UFC Freedom 250 Opener
3 articles · Updated · POST Wrestling · Jun 14
Summary
2:42 into Round 2, Diego Lopes finished Steve Garcia by TKO with a left hook, follow-up punches and ground-and-pound to open UFC Freedom 250.
Garcia had the better of the first round with straight shots, but Lopes said he was "taking it easy" before wobbling Garcia and scoring the bout’s only knockdown.
The win steadied Lopes after a five-round loss to featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski earlier this year and reinforced the No. 2-ranked contender’s standing at 145 pounds.
Garcia entered on a seven-fight winning streak dating to 2022, with six finishes and three first-round stoppages, making Lopes’ comeback finish a notable momentum shift on the card.
The bout started after a rain delay at the White House South Lawn event, where Donald Trump and UFC CEO Dana White later appeared cageside.