Diego Lopes has built a reputation for finishing fights with both precision and flair. Yet beyond his striking power and slick submissions, something else always grabs fans’ attention—the art etched into his skin. Each tattoo tells a story, and for Lopes, those stories are reminders of struggle, survival, and ambition.

Now, as he prepares to headline Noche UFC against Jean Silva on September 13, the spotlight isn’t only on his fighting skills. Fans are once again asking about the ink that defines him. What do those tattoos mean? And how do they tie into the journey of a man chasing UFC gold? Let’s break it down.

Diego Lopes’ famous chest tattoo and the meaning behind it 

Other than controlled violence, UFC fighters have their tattoos on full display. Each tattoo has a deep meaning, reflecting stories that are seldom explicitly talked about! But for Lopes, his tattoo tells a pretty straightforward story. The 29-year-old has a Dream Believe Make It Happen tattoo over his chest. For a long time, fans wondered why the inspiring phrase was tattooed on Lopes’ chest.

According to Lopes, his tattoo reflects the personal struggles he endured on his way to becoming a top fighter. He said, “When I got the tattoo on my chest, I was going through a difficult time in my life and career. I wanted to wake up every day in the morning, see myself in the mirror, and remember why I left my house at 18 years old. I couldn’t stop until I achieved everything I had dreamed of.”

That single line sums up his story: a young man leaving home, chasing an impossible dream, and refusing to quit until he made it real. The tattoo isn’t just ink. It’s a daily reminder of the grind that shaped him.  But what about his other tattoos? Where else does Lopes sport tattoos on his body, and what do they mean?

Other tattoos of Diego Lopes

The chest tattoo is not the only one on Lopes’ body! He has a tattoo on his right forearm. From the pictures where it is visible, it looks like a highly sophisticated design of a lion’s face. On his left arm, near the elbow, he has another symbol tattooed. On the right side of his rib cage, he has another tattoo. It seems like a quote that might have personal significance to the Brazilian and seems to be in his native tongue rather than English.

Together, these tattoos build a picture of who Diego Lopes is: fierce, resilient, and unwilling to let go of the roots that shaped him. They are less about decoration and more about identity. Every tattoo tells a chapter of his story. From leaving home at 18 to standing as a UFC headliner, Lopes has lived by the mantra he carries on his chest. The ink is a map of where he’s been and a compass for where he’s going.

And now, with his main event against Jean Silva at Noche UFC fast approaching, the question remains: will that same mantra guide him to victory once again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!