UFC

Benardo “Lion King”Sopaj

UFC13-3-0

Division
Bantamweight
Stance
Orthodox
Height
5' 6"
Weight
135 lbs.
Reach
66"
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Fighter metrics

Wins by KO
7
Wins by submission
4
Wins by decision
2

Recent fight form

Latest 3 verified results in our archive · 2024-03-02 to 2026-05-16

Wins

2 / 3

Losses

1 / 3

Historical results, not a prediction. See opponents and methods in fight history below.

Fight history

Benardo Sopaj Bio

Benardo Sopaj is an Albanian bantamweight mixed martial artist listed as active by the UFC. The UFC profile identifies him by the nickname “The Lion King,” places him at Allstars Gym, and lists his professional career as beginning in 2016. Sopaj stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and was born on September 25, 2000. The UFC lists his UFC debut as March 2, 2024, when he faced Vinicius Oliveira in Las Vegas.

Sopaj’s UFC career includes a unanimous-decision victory over Ricky Turcios at UFC 311 on January 18, 2025, followed by a second-round rear-naked-choke submission of Timmy Cuamba on May 16, 2026. His UFC profile describes a versatile finishing style, noting victories by knockout and submission, along with an anaconda as his preferred grappling technique and a flying knee as his favorite striking technique. Before joining the UFC, he said he won championships in Greece and held belts with MCP Greece, FCR, and AFN.

Record
13-3-0
Division
Bantamweight
Stance
Orthodox
Height
5' 6"
Weight
135 lbs.
Reach
66"
Birthplace
Albania

Benardo Sopaj Questions & Answers

Who is Benardo Sopaj?

Benardo Sopaj is an active UFC bantamweight from Albania who trains at Allstars Gym and competes under the nickname “The Lion King.”

What division does Benardo Sopaj compete in?

He competes in the UFC bantamweight division.

When was Benardo Sopaj born, and how tall is he?

He was born on September 25, 2000, and is listed at 5 feet 6 inches tall.

Where does Benardo Sopaj train?

The UFC lists Allstars Gym as his training location.

When did Benardo Sopaj make his UFC debut?

His UFC debut took place on March 2, 2024, against Vinicius Oliveira.

What are Benardo Sopaj’s preferred techniques?

He identifies the anaconda as his favorite grappling technique and the flying knee as his favorite striking technique.

What titles did Benardo Sopaj say he held before the UFC?

He said he became a champion and the number-one fighter in Greece at 17, and held belts in MCP Greece, FCR, and AFN.