After losing his bantamweight title to Sean O’Malley at UFC 292, ‘Funk Master’ has found new motivation in the featherweight division. Securing his debut victory in the new division, Aljamain Sterling was all set to feature at UFC 307 against Movsar Evloev. Unfortunately, the former champion has been ruled out of his fight because of an injury he suffered in training.

As of now, reports say that Movsar Evloev is also out of the fight since the UFC cannot find a replacement for Sterling. ‘Funkmaster’ hopes he gets to fight the Russian at the end of the year. However, he already has a new opponent in mind if the fight doesn’t happen.

Aljamain Sterling has his eyes set on Diego Lopes next after his UFC 306 victory

It’s an unfortunate loss for the UFC 307 fight card, but more so for Aljamain Sterling. ‘Funk Master’ on his YouTube channel announced that he has suffered a low-grade tear in his elbow that won’t require any surgery. However, his return to the Octagon has been halted till the month of December and he is currently focusing on proper recovery. But it seems Evloev might just not be an option for him anymore. In a recent X video on Championship Rounds, Sterling made it clear as to who he wants to fight next.

Sterling is now planning to take on Diego Lopez after his impressive performance at UFC 306. He said, “I don’t know this. Maybe Diego Lopes.”  The Brazilian is fresh off a dominant victory against Brian Ortega and is now waiting for his next big fight. The victory has elevated Diego Lopez to the fifth position and a title shot is not far away.

Sterling further added,  “Talking about next best fight if Movsar declines I just don’t know who else would he fight? But if you give me the option I always wanted to fight Brian Ortega to get the closest spot to the top. And now the next closest guy is Diego Lopez. That’s all it’s all about and it has nothing to do with what this guy did or that. The name value, what it gets me, risk vs reward. And if I’m gonna risk it for the biscuit that’s the guy I would risk it with.”

Movsar Evloev is now looking to get an opponent as a replacement for UFC 307. Who does he call for? Diego Lopes. But things have now taken a turn, and the Brazilian is not interested in fighting him anymore.

Diego Lopes has no interest in fighting Movsar Evloev

Aljamain Sterling’s withdrawal at the last moment has put the upcoming UFC 307 card in jeopardy and the UFC is now looking for a replacement. This is when Evloev remembered Lopes. The pair faced each other in 2023 in the Brazilian’s debut fight and Evloev went on to win the fight via decision. Since then Lopes has been trying to settle the scores and has called out Evloev multiple times. However, after getting constantly denied by him, Lopes, has improved not only his performance but also his rankings .

The Russian’s recent call-out has not gone well with the talented featherweight fighter who reminded him that things have changed now. Lopez took to his X account and tweeted, “Brother, since my first victory in the UFC, I called you to fight. You could make excuses that you were above me in the rankings. Since our fight, I have 5 victories. While you have only fought once. You were lower in the rankings. Not to mention that you have not finished anyone.”

Lopez has yet to recover from his fight at UFC 306, and his last fight against Evloev was also on short notice. Should he take the risk again this time around as well? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.