Matthew Lopez (fighter)

{{Infobox martial artist

| name = Matthew Lopez

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| other_names =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|01|21}}

| birth_place = Safford, Arizona, United States

| fighting_out_of = Denver, Colorado, United States

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=7}}

| weight_kg = 61

| weight_class = Bantamweight

| reach_in = 69

| style = Wrestling, Boxing, BJJ

| rank =

| stance =

| teacher =

| team = Genesis Training Centre

| trainer =

| years_active = 2013–present

| kickbox_win =

| kickbox_kowin =

| kickbox_loss =

| kickbox_koloss =

| kickbox_draw =

| kickbox_nc =

| mma_kowin = 4

| mma_subwin = 4

| mma_decwin = 2

| mma_koloss = 2

| mma_subloss = 1

| mma_decloss = 1

| mma_draw =

| mma_nc =

| am_label =

| am_win =

| am_kowin =

| am_subwin =

| am_loss =

| am_koloss =

| am_subloss =

| am_draw =

| am_nc =

| other =

| occupation =

| spouse =

| relatives =

| students =

| university = Cal State Fullerton
Arizona State University

| url =

| boxrec =

| sherdog = 136139

}}

Matthew Lopez (born December 12, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).{{Cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/athlete/matthew-lopez|title=Matthew Lopez|website=UFC|language=en|access-date=2017-06-12}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/14-Fighters-No-Longer-Part-of-UFC-Roster-Following-Cuts-Free-Agency-171763|title=14 Fighters No Longer Part of UFC Roster Following Cuts, Free Agency|author=Jay Pettry|date=March 19, 2020|publisher=sherdog.com}}

Background

Lopez was born in Safford, Arizona, United States. Lopez's father was the kid wrestling coach at Safford and he started training wrestling when he was young.{{Citation|last=MMAFightingonSBN|title=UFC 212: Matthew Lopez Thinks Referee Mario Yamasaki was Biased in Johnny Eduardo Bout|date=2017-06-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHho8XFnQrY|accessdate=2017-06-12}} He was a four time state champion wrestler at Sunnyside High School.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fullertontitans.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/lopez_matt00.html?view=bio|title = BIO Preview for /Sports/M-wrestl/MTT/Lopez_matt00.HTML}} He competed in wrestling in college at Arizona State University and Cal State Fullerton. After his collegiate wrestling career was over, he moved to MMA after seeing some of the wrestlers did well in MMA competitions.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com.au/mma/story/_/id/19485356/how-matthew-lopez-went-flat-broke-fighting-ufc-212|title=How Matthew Lopez went from 'flat broke'|work=ESPN.com|access-date=2017-06-12}}

Mixed martial arts career

= Early career =

Lopez competed most of his fights in King of the Cage (KOTC) and Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) MMA promotions prior joining UFC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/48122-matt-lopez|title=Matthew Lopez {{!}} MMA Fighter Page {{!}} Tapology|website=Tapology|language=en|access-date=2017-06-12}}

= Ultimate Fighting Championship =

On Dana White's Looking for a Fight (Season 1 Ep.6) web series show at Sioux Falls,{{Citation|last=UFC - Ultimate Fighting Championship|title=Dana White: Lookin' for a Fight – Season 1 Ep.6|date=2016-06-28|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUSmLTHRY5k&t=1261s|accessdate=2017-06-30}} White was impressed with Lopez's performance and signed Lopez into UFC.{{Citation|last=MMAjunkie|title=UFC 212: Matthew Lopez full post fight interview|date=2017-06-03|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7QXcl9-KQo|accessdate=2017-06-12}}{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/04/rfa-37-highlights-it-was-insanity-the-whole-night-and-heres-why-clue-dana-white|title=RFA 37 highlights: It was 'insanity – the whole night,' and here's why (clue: Dana White)|date=2016-04-16|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2017-06-12|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/04/matthew-lopez-talked-to-ufc-president-dana-white-after-rfa-37-win|title=Matthew Lopez talked to UFC President Dana White after RFA 37 win|date=2016-04-30|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2017-06-12|language=en-US}}

Lopez made his promotional debut against Rani Yahya on July 13, 2016, at UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/05/rani-yahya-meets-rfa-standout-matthew-lopez-at-ufc-fight-night-91-in-sioux-falls|title=Rani Yahya meets RFA standout Matthew Lopez at UFC Fight Night 91 in Sioux Falls|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2016-05-17|accessdate=2016-05-17}} He lost the fight via submission (arm-triangle choke) in the third round.{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/07/ufc-fight-night-91-results-rani-yahya-scores-arm-triangle-submission-of-matthew-lopez|title=UFC Fight Night 91 results: Rani Yahya scores arm-triangle submission of Matthew Lopez|date=2016-07-13|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2017-06-12|language=en-US}}

On his second appearance in UFC, Lopez faced Mitch Gagnon on December 10, 2016, at UFC 206.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmanews.com/guess-whos-back-mitch-gagnon-returns-to-octagon/|title=Mitch Gagnon returns to octagon in December|publisher=mmanews.com |author=Dana Becker|date=2016-10-26|accessdate=2016-10-26}} He won the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/12/ufc-206-results-matthew-lopez-rallies-through-rough-first-round-to-top-mitch-gagnon|title=UFC 206 results: Matthew Lopez rallies through rough first round to top Mitch Gagnon|date=2016-12-11|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2017-06-12|language=en-US}}

On June 3, 2017, Lopez faced Johnny Eduardo at UFC 212.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/03/three-fights-added-to-ufc-212-in-rio-de-janeiro|title=Three fights added to UFC 212 in Rio de Janeiro|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|accessdate=2017-03-09|date=2017-03-09}} He won the fight via TKO in the first round.{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/06/ufc-212-results-matthew-lopez-pounds-his-way-to-tko-win-over-johnny-eduardo|title=UFC 212 results: Matthew Lopez pounds his way to TKO win over Johnny Eduardo|date=2017-06-04|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2017-06-12|language=en-US}} In the post fight interview, Lopez thought referee Mario Yamasaki was biased and believed Yamasaki should have stopped the fight much earlier.

Lopez faced Raphael Assunção on November 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis.{{cite news|url=https://www.thescore.com/mma/news/1371484|title=Assuncao draws Lopez, Northcutt to meet Quinones at UFC Norfolk|publisher=thescore.com|author=Themistoklis Alexis|date=2017-09-19|accessdate=2017-09-19}} At the weigh-ins, Lopez missed weight, weighing in at 138.5 lbs., two and a half pounds over the bantamweight limit. As a result, he forfeited 20% of his purse to Assunção and the bout proceeded at a catchweight.{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/11/ufc-fight-night-120-norfolk-weigh-in-results-and-live-video-stream|title=UFC Fight Night 120 weigh-in results: One fighter heavy, but Pettis, Poirier official|date=2017-11-10|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2017-11-10|language=en-US}} He lost the fight via knockout in the third round.{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/11/ufc-fight-night-120-results-raphael-assuncao-lays-out-matthew-lopez|title=UFC Fight Night 120 results: Raphael Assuncao chops down, lays out Matthew Lopez|date=2017-11-12|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2017-11-12|language=en-US}}

Lopez faced Alejandro Pérez on April 14, 2018, at UFC on Fox 29.{{Cite news|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mma/2018/02/14/matt-lopez-vs-alejandro-perez-added-ufc-fox-29-gila-river-arena/338542002/?hootPostID=18804215e94721a3f90f26f08e74e6c5|title=Matt Lopez vs. Alejandro Perez added to UFC on Fox 29 at Gila River Arena|publisher=azcentral.com|author=Greg Moore|date=2018-02-15|accessdate=2018-02-15}} He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/04/ufc-on-fox-29-results-alejandro-perez-survives-early-takedowns-to-tko-matthew-lopez|title=UFC on FOX 29 results: Alejandro Perez survives early takedowns to TKO Matthew Lopez|date=2018-04-14|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-04-15|language=en-US}}

Lopez faced Brad Katona on December 8, 2018, at UFC 231.{{cite web|url=https://canoe.com/sports/fighting/mma/winnipegs-brad-katona-to-fight-in-bantamweight-bout-at-ufc-231-in-toronto|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928201012/https://canoe.com/sports/fighting/mma/winnipegs-brad-katona-to-fight-in-bantamweight-bout-at-ufc-231-in-toronto|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 28, 2018|title=Winnipeg's Brad Katona to fight in bantamweight bout at UFC 231 in Toronto|publisher=canoe.com|author=Canadian Press|date=2018-09-28|access-date=2018-09-28}} He lost the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://fansided.com/2018/12/08/ufc-231-brad-katona-unbeaten-win-matthew-lopez/|title=UFC 231: Brad Katona remains unbeaten with close win over Matthew Lopez|date=2018-12-08|website=FanSided|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-09}}

On March 19, 2020, it was reported that Lopez was no longer part of the UFC's roster.

Personal life

The journey from wrestling to fighting in UFC was a tough one. Lopez was broke during his college years and forced to stay in a house without water and electricity for some time as he could not afford to pay the rent.

Mixed martial arts record

{{MMArecordbox

| draws=

| nc=

| ko-wins= 4

| ko-losses= 2

| sub-losses= 1

| sub-wins= 4

| dec-wins= 2

| dec-losses= 1

| dq-wins=

| dq-losses=

| other-wins=

| other-losses=

}}

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|10–4

|Brad Katona

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 231

|{{dts|2018|December|8}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Toronto, Ontario, Canada

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 10–3

|Alejandro Pérez

|TKO (knees and punches)

|UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje

|{{dts|2018|April|14}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|3:42

|Glendale, Arizona, United States

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 10–2

| Raphael Assunção

| KO (punch)

| UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis

| {{dts|2017|November|11}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 1:50

| Norfolk, Virginia, United States

|{{small|Catchweight (138.5 lbs) bout; Lopez missed weight.}}

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 10–1

| Johnny Eduardo

| TKO (punches)

|UFC 212

| {{dts|2017|June|03}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:57

| Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 9–1

| Mitch Gagnon

| Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 206

| {{dts|2016|December|10}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Toronto, Ontario, Canada

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 8–1

| Rani Yahya

| Submission (arm-triangle choke)

| UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker

| {{dts|2016|July|13}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 4:19

| Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 8–0

| Eli Finn

| Submission (elbows and punches)

| RFA 37

| {{dts|2016|April|15}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 3:15

| Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 7–0

| Justin Linn

| Submission (face lock)

| RFA 31

| {{dts|2015|October|09}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:16

| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 6–0

| Kevin Clark

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

| RFA 29

| {{dts|2015|August|21}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 0:36

| Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 5–0

| Devin Turner

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

| RFA 25

| {{dts|2015|April|10}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:46

| Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

|{{small|Catchweight (140 lbs) bout.}}

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 4–0

| John Robles

| TKO (punches)

| RFA 21

| {{dts|2014|December|05}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:35

| Costa Mesa, California, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 3–0

| Miguelito Marti

| TKO (punches)

| Gladiator Challenge: Iron Fist

| {{dts|2014|June|28}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:13

| San Jacinto, California, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 2–0

| Sammy Silva

| Decision (unanimous)

| KOTC: Heated Fury

| {{dts|2013|July|20}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 1–0

| Imani Jackson

| TKO (punches)

| KOTC: World Championships

| {{dts|2013|May|25}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 4:05

| Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

{{Cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Matthew-Lopez-136139|title=Matthew Lopez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2018-04-15}}