Aljamain Sterling can set the record straight along with beef with UFC 314 headliners and upcoming featherweight title challenger Diego Lopez.
Lopez is set to face Alexander Volkanovsky in the vacant UFC featherweight title in the main event of the promotion’s pay-per-view card in Miami on April 12th. Former bantamweight champion Sterling, who went up to the 145-pound division, respects everything Lopez did, but I agree with him that Sterling’s latest opponent, Morthal Ivroev, was a more appropriate challenger.
“I was surprised because I thought Lopez at UFC 288) should have scored the next shot, especially because they fought second round that year,” Sterling told the MMA battle this Saturday, previewing the fight for brothers Kelvin at LFA 204. “I don’t know.
“Obviously he has a more fan-friendly style, so I think it was probably the case, so of course he stepped up in a short period of time, so I gave Diego his respect in that respect. A fun fight no matter what.
That said, Sterling still supports matchmaking, which is different from what the UFC ultimately decided.
“Ideally, I thought it would be Volkanovski vs. Movsar, and myself, maybe Lopez, or Rope vs. Yair Rodriguez, or something like that. “I don’t want to say you’re cutting the line, but when you knock out other candidates, no one has a viable streak. That’s my thought process.
“By the way, it’s going to be a great title fight. I’ll be adjusted. Hopefully I’ll get a ticket to get there.
Sterling develops Lopes’ manager, following numerous tweets between himself, Lopes and House, who shared the same view that “Funkmaster” was more appropriate.
It must have been a Movsar, but of course, their legitimate heart fighters won’t turn down a title shot because they think “that’s the right thing to do.”
– Aljamain Sterling (@funkmastermma) February 22, 2025
that’s right. I’m jokingly confused. Let us put Joke Diego, who got a shot on top of the guy who defeated you. Thank you and make the most of your opportunities https://t.co/wcwdnjmisw
– Aljamain Sterling (@funkmastermma) February 24, 2025
We laugh at how troubling you are with our success. Diego has won five wins in 16 months. Movsar has won four wins in four years. Diego also defeated the higher ranked competition. Your only argument is that Movsar barely beats Diego when he had four days to prepare. Don’t make it bitter, it’ll get better. https://t.co/hwurpf41th
– Jason House (@jasonkhouse) February 24, 2025
You sound like a “home” boy in a good OL who is talking about being strict with the person you see right away. I hope you’re difficult with my boy. Please bring security and don’t ask the UFC to keep me out of the event. I haven’t said anything rude to…https://t.co/pknoajb0qh
– Aljamain Sterling (@funkmastermma) February 24, 2025
Do you bring security? Would you like to remove you from the event? Are you serious? I have no malicious intentions towards you. But to sit here and say that Diego doesn’t deserve a title shot is disrespectful and ridiculous to say that accepting it makes him question his integrity. This isn’t difficult, this is what I’m talking about… https://t.co/t68ikmth7d
– Jason House (@jasonkhouse) February 24, 2025
Idiot? Look at your words. You had my respect and you lost it. Next time, leave it ignorant and annoying. Because I just saw you threatening the people on my team. Same energy. https://t.co/ian5szoqyn
– Diegolopez (@diegolopesmma) February 24, 2025
A few weeks later, Sterling still doesn’t understand why things get out of hand, but sometimes the fighting game becomes that way.
“Someone asked who I think would best suit me and I said Movsar,” explained Sterling. “But I also said that it’s not wrong for Diego to fight the title. They offered it to him, you take it. You take it, you’re a golden ticket to change your life: great eyes, you get the chance to win a championship pay-per-view point.
“So I don’t know how they misunderstood the tweets, whether it’s bitter or uncomfortable, or whatever, but they started to interact. He thought I was threatening him, so I blackballed out of the event.”
No matter how perceived it is, Sterling is not trying to engage in a real battle with the home or the expression of others.
“I can’t get paid to fight my manager,” Sterling said. “I’m not being paid to fight people outside the octagon, so there’s nothing there. And I even said to him and Diego, who was very sincerely sincerely. I mean, that’s what it is.
On Saturday, Sterling will be watching his brother Kelvin compete, but he is also ready to go back to the octagon. Sterling believes the department’s doors are wide open as Ilia Topuria opens the featherweight belt instead of the lightweight movement.
After a fun, and incredibly close fight with Evloev, Sterling believes he can hang out at the best featherweight in the world, and hopes that his next fight will reflect that.
“I’m excited about the future,” Sterling said. “I’m still waiting for someone, I’m still waiting for my name. Hopefully it’s not much to be able to get me excited and fight someone who’s fighting someone who’s not known at this point in my career. I’m not excited to get out of bed.
“But I’m looking for a fight that will make you nervous, a fight that will make you excited, a fight that will make you get in there. That’s what I’m proud of myself.