Bruno Lopes has been removed from the UFC roster following a 1-3 record with the promotion, capped by a first-round stoppage loss to Diyar Nurgozhay with just one second remaining in the round. Lopes has publicly disputed referee Kerry Hatley's decision to wave off the bout, insisting he was still working the fight when the round-ending buzzer sounded. The Brazilian light heavyweight earned his UFC contract via Dana White's Contender Series in 2024 before dropping three straight bouts to Dustin Jacoby, Navajo Stirling, and Nurgozhay.
Bruno Lopes has been cut from the UFC roster after going 1-3 during his time with the promotion, with the Brazilian light heavyweight also publicly contesting the stoppage that closed out his final appearance inside the octagon.
Lopes, 33, earned his UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series in 2024, arriving with legitimate credentials. Standing six-foot-two with a 74-inch reach, the Orthodox striker from São Paulo's 011 MMA Team carried a well-rounded game into his promotional run, averaging 2.87 significant strikes landed per minute and mixing in takedown threats at a rate of 2.05 per 15 minutes. His overall record now sits at 14-4-0. Three consecutive defeats to Dustin Jacoby, Navajo Stirling, and Diyar Nurgozhay ultimately cost him his roster spot.
The loss to Nurgozhay carried an added layer of controversy. Lopes has stated publicly that referee Kerry Hatley waved off the fight with just one second remaining in the first round while he was, in his view, still actively engaged. The finishing blow came in the closing moments of the frame, and Lopes has disputed whether the stoppage was warranted given the near-simultaneous sound of the round-ending buzzer.
Nurgozhay, a 29-year-old southpaw from Kazakhstan fighting out of Tobet Top Team, carries a 12-2-0 record and has shown elite striking efficiency, landing at a 61 percent accuracy rate while averaging 5.19 significant strikes per minute — numbers that reflect genuine finishing ability inside the distance.
Why it matters
- Lopes exits the UFC with a disputed final loss, which may complicate how his record is framed if he pursues fights elsewhere.
- The three-fight losing streak included losses to ranked and rising light heavyweights, underscoring the division's depth.
- Navajo Stirling, one of Lopes's three UFC opponents, currently sits ranked fifth in the light heavyweight division, illustrating the level of competition Lopes faced.
- The late-stoppage dispute keeps scrutiny on light heavyweight officiating at a time when the 205-pound division is drawing increased attention.
