Benardo Sopaj and the Bantamweight Division: A Look at the Rising UFC Star

Benardo “Lion King” Sopaj, an Albanian professional mixed martial artist, has been making waves in the UFC bantamweight division. With a professional career spanning since 2016, Sopaj has accumulated an impressive record, including seven wins by knockout and three by submission.

Sopaj’s recent performance in the UFC has been notable, with seven first-round finishes and a win record of three out of his last four fights. However, his most recent bout at UFC Fight Night on March 2, 2024, ended in a knockout loss to Vinicius Oliveira in the third round.

Before joining the UFC, Sopaj held multiple titles in different organizations, including being the champion and number one in Greece at just 17 years old. He holds belts in MCP Greece, FCR, and AFN. Sopaj’s training regimen is rigorous, involving three training sessions per day, and he holds a blue belt in jiu-jitsu.

In the broader context of the bantamweight division, fighters like Merab Dvalishvili currently hold the men’s bantamweight title in the UFC, highlighting the competitive landscape that Sopaj is navigating.