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 the Brazilian, those stories are reminders of years of struggle, survival, and ambition to become the best.

On January 31 (February 1 for Australian viewers), Diego Lopes is set to challenge for UFC featherweight gold once again. After delivering a dominant win over Jean Silva at the UFC Noche Fight Night event last year, the No. 2-ranked featherweight earned his shot at Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 325, which will take place on the champion’s home turf in Sydney. A victory would not only give Lopes revenge for his loss at UFC 314, but also see the belt shining on his shoulder. As the 31-year-old prepares to light up the Octagon once more, let’s take a closer look at the story behind his tattoos.

What is the meaning of Diego Lopes’s chest tattoo?

Apart from their fighting skills inside the Octagon, 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.”

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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?

Are there any Other tattoos on Diego Lopes’s body

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 twice, 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 Diego Lopes set to face Alexander Volkanovski once again at UFC 325, do you think he can correct the mistakes he made in Miami and capture the featherweight belt this time? Let us know in the comments section below.