Benito Lopez used UFC-debut winnings to buy new car for grandmother

Benito Lopez came out of his UFC debut with a $20,000 purse, the current minimum for a first-time winner inside the octagon. He used a chunk of that money to do something commendable for a family member.

Lopez (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who defeated Albert Morales (7-3-1 MMA, 1-3-1 UFC) by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 123 earlier this month in Fresno, Calif., spent some of his winnings to purchase a vehicle for his grandmother.

The unbeaten UFC bantamweight revealed his purchase, along with pictures, on social media (via Instagram):

I’ve always dreamed of a day where I would be able to give back to my grams for everything’s she’s done for my family and I. Yesterday the day finally came! I used some of my fight earnings to buy my grama the car she’s been wanting. Although it isn’t much, it’s the best I could do with what I had. I love you grams thank you for everything you’ve done and do for us. Thank you to the @ufc & @danawhite for giving me the opportunity to help change my family’s life for the better. This is only the beginning. #Blessed

A post shared by Benito "Golden Boy" Lopez (@savage_530) on Dec 17, 2017 at 5:29pm PST

“I’ve always dreamed of a day where I would be able to give back to my grams for everything’s she’s done for my family and I. Yesterday the day finally came! I used some of my fight earnings to buy my grama the car she’s been wanting. Although it isn’t much, it’s the best I could do with what I had. I love you grams thank you for everything you’ve done and do for us. Thank you to the @ufc & @danawhite for giving me the opportunity to help change my family’s life for the better. This is only the beginning. #Blessed”

Lopez’s successful UFC debut came after he was signed to the organization through a winning performance at a Dana White’s Contender Series event in August.

After winning his official UFC debut by decision, Lopez told MMAjunkie he hopes for a stoppage in his sophomore octagon appearance.

“I like to go in there and knock someone out in the first 10 seconds,” Lopez said. “That’s the kind of fights I like to be in. It didn’t go that way. It was a war. It is what it is. I’m confident I’ll be back stronger than ever and I’ll get back to my finishing ways.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 123, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

The Blue Corner is MMAjunkie‘s official blog and is edited by Mike Bohn.