8-cent meals, bucket shower and Mexican dream: The improbable rise of Diego Lopes

Diego Lopes | Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

He’s more than a Brazilian fighter with a different hairstyle, powerful punches and slick jiu-jitsu. Diego Lopes is the embodiment of the fighting spirit that drives people to overcome difficulties for a goal.

Dream, believe and make it happen.

This Saturday, Lopes enters Kaseya Center in Miami for UFC 314 representing both Brazil and Mexico, looking to claim a vacant featherweight title against legendary former champion Alexander Volkanovski.