Aljamain Sterling interested in Diego Lopes fight after Movsar Evloev bout falls through: “Risk vs. reward”

By Josh Evanoff - September 23, 2024

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling believes he could face Diego Lopes next.

Diego Lopes and Aljamain Sterling

‘The Funk Master’ hasn’t competed since his move up to featherweight in April. At the historic UFC 300 card, Aljamain Sterling faced Calvin Kattar and wound up dominating. The former bantamweight champion secured a unanimous decision victory after 15 minutes of action. Following the win, Sterling was booked opposite Movsar Evloev for October.

However, Aljamain Sterling suffered an injury and pulled out of their UFC 307 bout earlier this month. While Movsar Evloev hoped to stay on the card, he reportedly couldn’t find a short-notice opponent and was pulled earlier this week. In a recent interview with The Schmo, Sterling opened up on his decision to pull out.

In the interview, Aljamain Sterling showed interest in re-booking a fight with Movsar Evloev in December. However, ‘The Funk Master’ also added that he’s interested in a bout against Diego Lopes as well. For his part, the Brazilian is fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Brian Ortega at Noche UFC earlier this month.

RELATED: BRYCE MITCHELL SHOWS INTEREST IN FIGHTING MOVSAR EVLOEV AFTER ALJAMAIN STERLING’S INJURY: “I’M THE DUDE!”

Aljamain Sterling shows interest in facing Diego Lopes after UFC 307 cancelation

Aljamain Sterling admitted that he’s always wanted a fight against ‘T-City’. However, with Ortega’s recent loss to Diego Lopes, ‘The Fun Master’ believes that a bout against him makes far more sense. While the Brazilian has shot down the idea of facing the grappler previously, Sterling is down for the fight.

“I don’t know [who could be next], maybe Diego Lopes. “Aljamain Sterling stated in the interview when asked about his UFC return. “Maybe that would be a battle for the three [ranking]. If we’re talking the next best fight if Movsar declines, I don’t know who else we would fight. But, if you give me the option, I always wanted Brian Ortega so I could get the next closest spot to the top.”

He continued, “Now that next closest guy is Diego Lopes. That’s all it is. It has nothing to do with what this guy did or that, but it’s the name value, what it gets me, the risk vs. reward. If I’m going to risk it for the biscuit, that’s the guy I’d want to risk it with.”

What do you make of these comments from the former UFC champion? Do you want to see Aljamain Sterling vs. Diego Lopes?

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


Topics:

Aljamain Sterling Diego Lopes UFC

Looks like your ad blocker is on.

×

We rely on ads to keep creating quality content for you to enjoy for free.

Please support our site by disabling your ad blocker.

Continue without supporting us

Choose your Ad Blocker

  • Adblock Plus
  • Adblock
  • Adguard
  • Ad Remover
  • Brave
  • Ghostery
  • uBlock Origin
  • uBlock
  • UltraBlock
  • Other
  1. In the extension bar, click the AdBlock Plus icon
  2. Click the large blue toggle for this website
  3. Click refresh
  1. In the extension bar, click the AdBlock icon
  2. Under "Pause on this site" click "Always"
  1. In the extension bar, click on the Adguard icon
  2. Click on the large green toggle for this website
  1. In the extension bar, click on the Ad Remover icon
  2. Click "Disable on This Website"
  1. In the extension bar, click on the orange lion icon
  2. Click the toggle on the top right, shifting from "Up" to "Down"
  1. In the extension bar, click on the Ghostery icon
  2. Click the "Anti-Tracking" shield so it says "Off"
  3. Click the "Ad-Blocking" stop sign so it says "Off"
  4. Refresh the page
  1. In the extension bar, click on the uBlock Origin icon
  2. Click on the big, blue power button
  3. Refresh the page
  1. In the extension bar, click on the uBlock icon
  2. Click on the big, blue power button
  3. Refresh the page
  1. In the extension bar, click on the UltraBlock icon
  2. Check the "Disable UltraBlock" checkbox
  3. Marque la casilla de verificación "Desactivar UltraBlock"
  1. Please disable your Ad Blocker

If the prompt is still appearing, please disable any tools or services you are using that block internet ads (e.g. DNS Servers).

Logo