Aljamain Sterling clarified his stance on Diego Lopes, the UFC 314 headliner and featherweight title contender. Sterling is keen to set the record straight about any perceived conflict with Lopes and his manager.
Lopes is scheduled to compete against Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant UFC featherweight title at the main event of UFC 314 in Miami on April 12. Sterling, a former bantamweight champion now competing in the featherweight division, acknowledges Lopes` accomplishments but maintains his belief that Movsar Evloev, Sterling`s recent opponent, was more deserving of a title opportunity.
“I was taken aback because I felt the fighter who defeated Lopes previously should have been next in line, especially considering his activity that year,” Sterling mentioned to MMA Fighting, while discussing his brother Kelvin`s upcoming fight at LFA 204. “[Evloev] competed twice in 2024, and he won against a former champion, a close match, but a win nonetheless. Diego had an impressive fight against Brian Ortega, but I still believe Evloev was more deserving. However, I don`t make those decisions.”
“Undoubtedly, Lopes has a more exciting fighting style which is likely a factor in the decision. Also, he accepted the fight on short notice, for which I respect him. No fighter would decline a title shot thinking someone else is more entitled, and while he might not be the most deserving contender, he is undeniably entertaining and has rapidly progressed in the sport. It promises to be an exciting fight. I`m leaning towards Volkanovski winning unless Diego can secure an early finish.”
Sterling still suggests alternative matchmaking that he believed would have been more appropriate.
“Ideally, I envisioned a Volkanovski versus Movsar matchup, and perhaps myself against Lopes, or Lopes against Yair Rodriguez, to maintain activity in the division,” Sterling explained. “When you have a situation where someone seemingly jumps ahead, it disrupts the natural progression of contenders and creates a situation where fewer fighters have clear win streaks. That`s my perspective on the matter.”
“To be clear, it will be a fantastic title fight, and I plan to watch it, hopefully in person. I wish both fighters the best, and as for [his manager] Jason House, he can, well, you know…” Sterling added, expressing his continued frustration.
Sterling referred to Lopes’ manager in light of a series of exchanges on Twitter between Sterling, Lopes, and House. In these exchanges, Sterling reiterated his opinion that Evloev was the more deserving title challenger.
Weeks later, Sterling remains puzzled by the escalation of the online discussion but recognizes that such dynamics are sometimes part of the fight world.
“Someone asked me who I thought was most deserving, and I said Movsar,” Sterling clarified. “However, I also stated that Diego is justified in accepting the title fight. When offered such an opportunity, you seize it. It’s a life-changing opportunity, offering significant exposure, pay-per-view points, and the overall benefits of becoming a champion.”
“I’m unsure how my tweet was misinterpreted as bitterness or negativity. They initiated a back-and-forth, and I responded to Jason, pointing out his influential position within the company and the behind-the-scenes dealings that are often discussed. I wasn’t trying to expose anything publicly, but I felt the need to say, ‘If you want to engage like this, we can, but don’t try to have me excluded from events because you disagree with my honest opinions.’ I suspect he might have perceived my comments as a threat.”
Regardless of the interpretation, Sterling emphasizes he has no intention of physically confronting House or any manager, especially outside of a professional fighting context where there is no compensation.
“I don’t get paid to fight managers,” Sterling stated. “I don’t get paid for altercations outside the octagon. So, there’s no real issue. I even communicated cordially with Diego. It is what it is. If they have concerns, we can discuss them face-to-face like adults.”
Sterling is looking forward to watching his brother Kelvin compete and is also eager to return to the octagon himself. With Ilia Topuria relinquishing the featherweight belt to move to lightweight, Sterling believes the featherweight division is now wide open for new contenders.
Following a close and competitive fight with Evloev, Sterling is confident in his ability to compete with top featherweights and hopes his next fight reflects this ambition.
“I’m excited about what’s next,” Sterling concluded. “I’m still waiting for my next opponent to be named. Ideally, it will be someone who excites me. Fighting lesser-known, up-and-coming fighters at this stage of my career isn’t particularly motivating, other than for the paycheck.”
“I’m seeking fights that bring excitement and a level of healthy anxiety, the kind where you`re uncertain of the outcome but committed to giving your best. That`s what I strive for. I want to compete against another highly ranked opponent and prove my place in this division.”
