Sterling wants Lopes if UFC doesn't rebook Evloev fight
Aljamain Sterling has someone in mind for his next opponent if it's not Movsar Evloev.
The former UFC bantamweight champion said he would be interested in squaring off with Diego Lopes under the circumstance that a matchup against Evloev doesn't get rescheduled.
"Maybe Diego Lopes. Maybe that'd be a battle for the (No. 3 ranking)," Sterling told The Schmo.
He added: "I always wanted Brian Ortega so I get the closest spot to the top, and now the next closest guy is Diego Lopes. That's all it is. It has nothing to do with what this guy did. It's the name value, what it gets me, risk versus reward, and if I'm gonna risk it for the biscuit, that's the guy I would risk it with."
Sterling was scheduled to face Evloev in a pivotal featherweight bout at UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City, but "Funk Master" withdrew last week due to an elbow injury.
Evloev won't remain on the card after the UFC was unable to find a replacement, sources told MMA Mania's Alex Behunin. However, it's still unclear whether or not the promotion wants to pair Evloev and Sterling back up for a later date.
Sterling, who suffered a low-grade elbow tear that doesn't require surgery, is targeting a December return.
Sterling praised Lopes for making a sudden rise in the division over the past 16 months. Since losing to Evloev in his short-notice UFC debut in May 2023, Lopes has rattled off five straight wins - including a one-sided decision over former title challenger Ortega at UFC 306 earlier in September - to climb to No. 3 at 145 pounds.
"It's nothing short of inspiring, to be honest," Sterling said. He added: "I wish (Lopes) nothing but the best - unless it's against me."