Diyar Nurgozhay vs Lopes Prediction 8 August 2026
👊 At UFC Vegas 120, light heavyweights Diyar Nurgozhay and Bruno Lopes are set to square off inside the Apex octagon. Both fighters have already faced tough challenges in the promotion and currently share a modest 1-2 record. For the Kazakh athlete, this bout presents a prime opportunity to build on his recent success and fully rebound after a rocky start. Meanwhile, the Brazilian will be desperate to bounce back from early stoppage losses and keep his place on the roster.
Head-to-head statistics Diyar Nurgozhay - Lopes
Diyar Nurgozhay Player Overview
The 29-year-old Kazakh fighter entered the UFC with a spotless 10-0 record and an eye-catching head-kick knockout on Dana White’s Contender Series. However, his octagon debut ended in disappointment: Diyar missed weight ahead of his bout with Brendson Ribeiro and suffered a submission defeat. Things went from bad to worse in his next appearance, as Nurgozhay was caught in a submission by Uran Satylbaldiev in the opening round. Facing the threat of being cut from the promotion, Diyar managed to turn things around this year by outpointing Brazilian newcomer Rafael Tobias via judges’ decision. Now, the Kazakh light heavyweight needs to deliver a composed, mature performance to solidify his place on the UFC roster.
Match Results: Diyar Nurgozhay
Bruno Lopes Player Overview
36-year-old Brazilian Bruno Lopes, who holds a 14-3 record, earned his UFC contract via Dana White’s Contender Series-but only on his second try. In his first appearance on the show, Lopes suffered a knockout loss to Brendson Ribeiro, but a year later, he bounced back with a win over Mikail Sazhiniani to finally secure his shot at the big stage. Lopes made a strong start in the UFC, defeating Magomed Gadzhiyasulov-a result that led to Gadzhiyasulov’s release from the promotion. However, the Brazilian has since hit a rough patch, suffering back-to-back knockout losses to Dustin Jacoby and Navajo Stirling. Lopes now finds himself in a must-win situation, as a third consecutive defeat would almost certainly spell the end of his UFC tenure.
Match Results: Bruno Lopes
⭐ Editor’s Prediction
Diyar have every chance to claim the win here if they make full use of their speed and reach. Bruno Lopes has suffered back-to-back knockout defeats, and serious questions hang over his ability to absorb punches-an opportunity Nurgozhay must seize. The Kazakh fighter shed a massive psychological burden with his first league victory; he’s younger, quicker on his feet, and more than capable of catching the vulnerable Brazilian with a sharp counter early in the fight. Our pick: Nurgozhay to win.
No comments
Other predictions
