Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has appeared to lose persistence with the undefeated Movsar Evloev.
Sterling introduced his arrival within the featherweight division with a profitable divisional debut at UFC 300 this previous March. “Funk Grasp” utilized his grappling to restrict all of Calvin Kattar’s offense en path to the scorecards.
Since then, a lot of the dialogue concerning Sterling’s sophomore outing at 145 kilos has concerned Evloev, who sits three locations above the ex-bantamweight at #5 within the rankings.
Whereas the pair expressed mutual curiosity within the combat, they’ve since been at odds over its obvious delay, with each throwing blame at each other.
Evidently, Sterling has now had sufficient of that backwards and forwards…
Sterling Adjusts Sights From Evloev To Lopes
Throughout a video lately uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sterling supplied an replace on his future plans, as he seems to be to climb towards the gold at 145 kilos in pursuit of two-division glory.
With a prolonged interval of discourse with Evloev not leading to an official reserving, “Funk Grasp” expressed frustration on the Russian’s ongoing “excuses.”
And with that, he has a recent identify in thoughts for his desired look on the Sphere for Noche UFC this fall.
“Keep tuned. Hopefully we’ll have some combat information for you guys. I’m enthusiastic about Aljamain Sterling vs. Diego Lopes because the Sphere,” Sterling stated. “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,” Sterling continued. “Both you wish to combat on my phrases or I’ll go combat someone else. So, Diego Lopes, should you oblige, let’s make it occur on the Sphere, September 14.”
Apparently, Evloev’s totally different tackle why the long-discussed combat with Sterling isn’t coming to fruition has additionally led him to the doorstep of Lopes and a possible rematch.
Hey @Diegolopesmma, I wanna provide you with a rematch on the Sphere as a result of @funkmasterMMA is operating for his life, and this time I’m gonna end you.
— Movsar Evloev (@MovsarUFC) July 2, 2024
Lopes is without doubt one of the fastest-rising names within the division, having adopted a aggressive short-notice debut in opposition to Evloev final Could with 4 straight wins, the primary three of which got here within the opening spherical.
Most lately, the Mexico-based Brazilian defeated Dan Ige in a UFC 303 matchup that took place on simply hours’ discover following the extraordinarily late withdrawal of Brian Ortega.
Whereas Lopes stays outdoors the highest 10 and 4 locations beneath Sterling within the featherweight pecking order, “Funk Grasp” seemingly desires to capitalize on the hype across the 29-year-old’s identify on a serious platform this September.
