Lopes backs big-fight experience to overcome Garcia's seven-fight streak at UFC White House

Diego Lopes steps back into the octagon on Sunday when he faces Steve Garcia in the featherweight opener of the UFC White House event, his first outing since dropping a decision to champion Alexander Volkanovski in their rematch at UFC 325 earlier this year.

Lopes, a two-time featherweight title challenger, is relishing the opportunity to reassert himself in the division’s pecking order against one of its hottest rising names. Garcia arrives on a seven-fight winning streak that includes six knockouts, most recently a first-round finish of David Onama in his inaugural UFC headliner at UFC Vegas 110 last November. The Brazilian also holds a decision win over Calvin Kattar during that run.

For all of Garcia’s momentum, Lopes believes the decisive edge belongs to him — and it has nothing to do with power or aggression.

“I think experience is a big deal for me,” Lopes told MMA Fighting. “It’s a big factor, and I think it’s the big difference for this fight. I have the experience for fighting for my position in the UFC, I have the experience for fighting for the belt. I have the experience to fight to defend my position too, and I have experience for fighting the newer guys in the UFC that are hungry for taking your spot.”

Lopes drew a direct parallel between Garcia’s current position and his own trajectory before breaking into the top five, recalling a pivotal matchup against Brian Ortega as the moment that defined his rise.

“This happened with me before I come to the top-five,” he said. “I had the opportunity to fight for the No. 3 guy. That time it was with Brian Ortega, and I know the motivation for proving to stay in the top-five. I know he now has a lot of hunger to prove this. I know he has a lot of confidence in himself — seven straight wins, six knockouts. I know he has a lot of power in the hands. I know he’s so aggressive. But I’m still here, bro. I’m still here. I proved this one time. I can’t wait to prove it again.”

The bout is already being flagged by many observers as the most likely Fight of the Night candidate on the South Lawn card, and Lopes is not shying away from the expectation. He believes the stylistic collision between two aggressive, high-output fighters makes a spectacular contest almost inevitable.

“The fans can expect like the best fight they’ve ever seen,” Lopes said. “Because I think Steve Garcia has the perfect style for putting on a great show. I have the style for putting on a great show too.”

A win for Lopes would re-establish him as a frontline featherweight contender after back-to-back title fight defeats, while Garcia knows that toppling a two-time challenger could fast-track his own shot at the belt.