UFC
Aljamain Sterling Eyes Diego Lopes Showdown as Potential Next Fight
Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has set his sights on a new target in the featherweight division. Following the cancellation of his highly anticipated bout with Movsar Evloev, Sterling has expressed keen interest in facing the rising star Diego Lopes, should the Evloev fight fail to materialize.
After losing his bantamweight title, Sterling’s move up to featherweight has been met with both excitement and curiosity from fans and analysts alike. The “Funk Master” has been vocal about his desire to make an immediate impact in his new weight class, and a fight with Lopes could provide the perfect opportunity to do just that.
If Movsar Evloev declines, Aljamain Sterling says Diego Lopes is the “next best fight” for him:
“If I’m going to risk it for the biscuit, that’s the guy I would risk it with… no diddy.”
(via @TheSchmo312) pic.twitter.com/2u5XF46qtH
— Full Violence ™ (@Full_Violence) September 23, 2024
Diego Lopes has been making waves in the featherweight division, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about prospects in the UFC. His impressive performances and rising stardom have caught Sterling’s attention, who sees Lopes as a worthy adversary and a potential stepping stone to title contention.
Sterling’s interest in Lopes is not just about the Brazilian’s skills, but also the risk-reward factor. “That’s the guy I’d risk it for,” Sterling stated, highlighting the potential benefits of facing a fighter with Lopes’ current momentum.
The original plan for Sterling’s featherweight debut was a matchup against Movsar Evloev, a bout that fell through due to unforeseen circumstances. While Sterling remains open to rebooking the fight with Evloev, he’s not putting all his eggs in one basket.
Interestingly, Lopes recently declined a short-notice fight against Evloev, further complicating the matchmaking puzzle in the featherweight division[4]. This decision by Lopes may have inadvertently opened the door for a potential clash with Sterling.
A fight between Sterling and Lopes would present an intriguing stylistic clash. Sterling’s world-class wrestling and grappling would be pitted against Lopes’ Brazilian jiu-jitsu prowess. However, the full extent of Lopes’ ground game remains somewhat of a mystery in the UFC, adding an element of unpredictability to the potential matchup.
A win for Sterling over Lopes would immediately establish him as a serious contender in the featherweight division. Conversely, if Lopes were to defeat the former bantamweight champion, it would catapult him into the upper echelons of the weight class.
While Lopes is at the forefront of Sterling’s mind, he hasn’t ruled out other opponents. Brian Ortega’s name has also been mentioned as a potential matchup, further demonstrating Sterling’s willingness to take on tough challenges in his new weight class.
As the UFC’s featherweight division continues to evolve, the potential matchup between Aljamain Sterling and Diego Lopes stands out as one of the most exciting possibilities on the horizon. Sterling’s champion pedigree combined with Lopes’ rising star status creates a narrative that fight fans can’t resist.
Whether this fight comes to fruition remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Aljamain Sterling is not looking for an easy path in his new weight class. By targeting a dangerous opponent like Diego Lopes, Sterling is sending a message to the entire featherweight division that he’s here to make waves.
As negotiations continue and the UFC works on finalizing its upcoming cards, all eyes will be on Sterling and Lopes. If this fight does get booked, it has all the ingredients to be a thrilling contest that could reshape the landscape of the featherweight division.