UFC Contender Lopes Getting the Wrestling Technique Down in Stillwater

STILLWATER – David Taylor has the nickname “Magic Man” and so far in his first season as wrestling head coach at Oklahoma State it has been pretty magical. The Cowboys are ranked No. 3 and are unbeaten at 8-0 after Monday night’s 34-3 win over No. 5 North Carolina State. Some more of Taylor’s magic is fellow combat sport competitors know of the Olympic and World Champion. The coach, who came out of “retirement” right before his first season as coach to wrestle at a weight above any he ever had and on short notice lost his first bout to reigning and eventual champion and then rallied to win three matches in a row to grab the bronze. 

Taylor is an example and a teacher. That may be why the Cowboys have entertained guests in the wrestling room in Gallagher-Iba Arena. The most recent guest is 30-year-old top featherweight contender in UFC in Brazillian challenger Diego Lopes da Silva. 

Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

Lopes introduced at the match vs. NC State.

“Diego, I've known him before his rise to superstardom, and it's been cool to see his trajectory,” Taylor said of Lopes. It's been great to have him here this week and share his story with the team.”

Lopes, who was introduced to the crowd of 8,212 at the NC State match in Gallagher-Iba, has been here picking up wrestling moves and technique he can add to his UFC fight style. Lopes was competing below UFC and was almost considered to old to make the jump up. Taylor picks up the story.

“It's amazing and it is easy to say, no and why you can't do something,” Taylor continued. “He (Diego) says, just say yes, and that has really been his career. He was right there and a little old to get a shot to fight in the UFC. On short notice he fought a guy nobody wanted to fight and almost beat him."

Oklahoma State Athletics

Lopes (left) is working on using some wrestling in his UFC style.

Lopes took on Movsar Evloev on May 6, 2023 and lost in a unanimous decision in UFC 288. His willingness was rewarded and he has ripped off five wins in a row at the UFC level. The 5-11, 145 pound Lopes won once by submission, twice by knockout or TKO and twice by unanimous decision. He is being mentioned as a top contender to face UFC Featherweight champion Ilia Topvria. 

“You just need a spark and you never know when that is going to come. It's been great having him around,” Taylor added. “For as big a star as he is, just how humble he is and how appreciative he is to just learn. Cool for him to seek out some wrestling and just good to have him around."

Lopes has made an impression on the Cowboy wrestlers. That includes No. 3 collegiate heavyweight and NCAA title contender, unbeaten (12-0) Wyatt Hendrickson.

Oklahoma State Wrestling

David Taylor (far left) and Diego Lopes (second from right) in the OSU Wrestling Room.

“It was really cool and you always see these famous figures and such on TV and they are just human. They are guys like us that want to go out there, have some fun, and learn some stuff,” Hendrickson said of Lopes. “It is exciting to help develop him and his wrestling. If I fought him, I’d get beat pretty bad, but if I wrestle him he's just a guy that is in here and wants to have fun and get better."

Obviously, Oklahoma State has had a strong past with attachments to UFC. Lopes may be the next, maybe even the next champion.