Aljamain Sterling is altering programs.
Earlier this 12 months, Sterling made his featherweight debut, taking a dominant unanimous choice win over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300. The win earned Sterling a spot within the featherweight high 10, and afterward, “The Funk Grasp” seemed to quick monitor himself to a title shot with a struggle towards undefeated contender Movsar Evloev. Nonetheless, Sterling and Evloev appear to be at odds over the doable matchup, and so now Sterling is shifting his focus to one of many hottest names within the 145-pound division: Diego Lopes.
“Keep tuned. Hopefully we’ll have some struggle information for you guys. I’m occupied with Aljamain Sterling vs. Diego Lopes as The Sphere,” Sterling stated on his YouTube channel. “That has a pleasant ring to it.
“Movsar, I don’t know what the hell he’s doing. I gave him a date, he hasn’t accepted but. He began making all these excuses. Both you need to struggle on my phrases or I’ll go struggle anyone else. So, Diego Lopes, should you oblige, let’s make it occur at The Sphere, September 14. Let’s get it!”
MMA Preventing’s 2023 Rookie of the Yr, Lopes took UFC by storm after impressing in his short-notice octagon debut towards Evloev. He then scored three first-round finishes in his subsequent three fights, together with a powerful win over Sodiq Yusuff at UFC 300.
Most just lately, Lopes once more grabbed headlines when he accepted a struggle with Brian Ortega on brief discover for UFC 303, after which fought Dan Ige on just some hours discover when Ortega pulled out on struggle day. Lopes not solely gained the struggle, however he additionally gained the favor of UFC CEO Dana White, who advised he “will do something” Lopes and Ige need after combating underneath these circumstances.
Final week, Lopes referred to as for a struggle with former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, if the Brian Ortega matchup couldn’t be re-booked for the deliberate UFC 306 card at The Sphere in Las Vegas. However with Volkanovski insisting his subsequent 145-pound struggle shall be for the title, maybe Lopes will accept a distinct former champion as a substitute.
