Gustavo Lopez
Division: Bantamweight
Result: Merab Dvalishvili def. Gustavo Lopez via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)
Record: 11-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC
Grade: C-
The lyrics of Chumbawamba’s 2002 hit “Tubthumping” came to mind during [autotag]Gustavo Lopez[/autotag]’s debut defeat to Merab Dvalishvili, as he was taken down time and time again, but kept getting up again as he refused to be finished in a gritty losing effort at the UFC Apex.
Ultimately, Lopez was outclassed by Dvalishvili, who is going to present real problems to the division’s top talent at 135 pounds. But although the scorecards may show a one-sided defeat, Lopez showed durability, grit and the right sort of attitude to have earned him more opportunities in a division packed with exciting possibilities.
Lopez was taken down 13 times during the fight and found himself in a nasty neck crank in the second round as Dvalishvili used his wrestling and grappling skills to dominate the American. But Lopez had some successes of his own, too. He stung Dvalishvili at the start of Round 2 with a big punch and threatened the Georgian with a guillotine choke almost immediately after escaping his neck crank predicament in the same round.
It showed that, while he was outmatched by Dvalishvili, Lopez may well have the ability to find success next time around. After stepping up on just a couple of days’ notice to put on a gritty display against one of the toughest prospects in the division, it’s a chance he certainly deserves.
Next up: Dominating debutant Mariya Agapova