Diego Lopes is set to return to action against Steve Garcia in a featherweight bout at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 in Washington, D.C.
Lopes, a former two-time UFC title challenger, enters the matchup with a 27-8 MMA record and a 6-3 mark in the UFC as he looks to rebound from his second title loss to featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Garcia brings a 19-5 MMA record and an 8-2 UFC slate into the fight, and has knocked out six of his past seven opponents.
Lopes expects Garcia to adjust but welcomes the challenge. "I think maybe he'll try and change a couple of things because he knows I'm so dangerous in the fight," Lopes said. "When people come to the fight with me, I love this. He has this style. He has the perfect style for me."
"And if he comes, the same thing he's done in his last fights, I think he's a little bit in trouble. But it's good for me, it's good for him," Lopes added. "I'm 100 percent sure he's going to try different things, but if he comes to fight and looks for the fight, it's great for me, great for him, and great for the fans. It's a good fight to open the card."
Lopes, 31, said his motivation remains simple: "The people know me: I just like to fight," he said. "This is my job. I just need to fight. I have fun with this. I enjoy this moment."
