Diego Lopes deserves title shot? Brazilian star’s reaction to criticism sets off ex-champ Aljamain Sterling

UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes laughs off Aljamain Sterling's suggestion that someone else deserves a title shot at UFC 314.

Diego Lopes deserves title shot? Brazilian star’s reaction to criticism sets off ex-champ Aljamain Sterling

Diego Lopes disregards Aljamain Sterling saying someone else deserves UFC 314 title shot (Source: IMAGO/X)

UFC returns to Miami with a PPV offering and a battle for the featherweight crown. Former 145-pound king Alexander Volkanovski locks horns with red-hot Diego Lopes for the title. Lopes fights for the strap at the UFC 314 PPV main event on April 12 at Kaseya Center in Miami. If someone asks Aljamain Sterling, he’d have other opinions on the challenger.

Former 135-pound champ “Funk Master” lost a close decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) scrap to Movsar Evloev at UFC 310. The Russian featherweight also has wins over Arnold Allen and Lopes himself before that. Hence, Sterling pitched in that Evloev should get the opportunity. He also further retorted that once a person (I.E. – Lopes) has a title crack, they won’t just give it up because it’s ‘the right thing to do.’

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Lopes dropped a short-notice debut to the Russian; after that, the Brazilian fighter is riding on a 5-fight win streak. Within 11 months, he rolled through standout names like Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, Sodiq Yusuff, and Dan Ige. At the last annual Noche UFC (UFC 306), he defeated former title challenger Brian Ortega and demanded a title shot.

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As such, the rising star doused himself quite worth it. Lopes dumbed down Aljo’s perspectives with an emoji or three. Check out the interaction from his side, on X:

In actuality, some brazen fans and even analysts consider otherwise. A win over Ortega (2-3 in his last few) and a short-notice Ige, no matter how ballsy, might not warrant a title shot. However, Evloev has yet to finish anyone in the UFC, putting him in the bad books of the promotion. This remains the best logical reason as to why Lopes received the title shot. Nevertheless, Aljo is not pleased about the whole situation.

Aljamain Sterling set off with emojis, stuns Diego Lopes with sharp thoughts on title shot at UFC 314

UFC featherweight Diego Lopes is just not a breakout fight of the 2024, he has never said no to the promotion. Lopes made championship weight as backup fighter for the UFC 308 PPV; he had the promise from the champ himself. Hence, with current 145-pound champ Ilia Topuria vacating, he gets his rightful shot at UFC 314.

Aljamain Sterling gets snarky on UFC featherweight Diego Lopes
Aljamain Sterling gets snarky on UFC featherweight Diego Lopes (Source: X/IMAGO)

Lopes has had six fights since joining the UFC roster in May 2023 – he has given it his all and got some highlights out of it. Although listed as a +120 underdog on the money line (per DraftKings Sportsbooks), Lopes thinks he has done enough to deserve it. Come UFC 314, he means to prove why. However, him nonchalantly turning down critiques on Evloev deserving it more has now set off Aljamain Sterling.

What’s the joke? You got the title shot. Why would you turn it down? Help me understand what’s so funny here? Lol I’m confused Diego… help a brother out amigo…[Different tweet] Exactly. I’m confused on the joke. Please let us in on the joke Diego 😂 You got the shot over the guy who beat you. Be grateful and make the most of the opportunity

Aljamain Sterling by X

Current champ Topuria bills that the unbeaten Evloev lacks the spark (or finish over opponents) to earn a 145-pound title crack. Hence, he chose Diego Lopes for it. Aljamain Sterling, who, along with his sparring mate Merab Dvalishvili put on quite a body of work, thinks otherwise. Hence, Aljo determines that Evloev deserved it more. Lopes, though, is happy to be rewarded and awaits UFC 314 to shock the world.

Related: Alexander Volkanovski is in trouble if he faces rising star Diego Lopes, claims UFC double champ