Former Champ Aljamain Sterling Hails Diego Lopes Title Eliminator After UFC Fight Night 259

Diego Lopes knocked out Jean Silva in a clear FOTY contender, to propel his chances at UFC 145-pound gold even further. Even before the third installment of the Mexican tribute (Noche UFC 3) at UFC Fight Night 259, Lopes already had history with the current champ, and now makes even more sense. But Aljamain Sterling thinks they should duke it out first.

Lopes is now 27-7 MMA and 6-2 UFC, and logged quite the second-round TKO victory over Jean Silva at UFC Fight Night 259. Before this, he was a recent title challenger for the vacant UFC featherweight hardware and failed a hard-fought bid against Alexander Volkanovski.

Lopes kept it easy and loose during his post-fight mic time after the Noche UFC 3 victory, stating he’d fight whoever (until he fights for gold). Former bantamweight king Aljamain Sterling took notice of the impressive win and worked up the tab of calling yet another top shot.

Winner gets the title shot. RUN IT!
.
#FunkHarbor

Aljamain Sterling via IG (@funkmastermma)

Aljo is 2-1 since he moved up to 145 pounds last April and has ballot wins over top names like former title challenger Brian Ortega and Calvin Kattar before that. He has one competitive loss to the yet unbeaten Movsar Evloev in a bout showcasing pure intelligent wrestling, as does Lopes, who has rebounded from both his competition losses in the octagon.

Never been pussy. https://t.co/g9IdU1vqEw

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 14, 2025

Following the win, the Brazilian said he wants another shot at UFC 145lbs gold, but admitted he might need one more win. Enter Sterling and the possibility of a title eliminator. He also laid it out that he’s open to scrapping with former interim champion Yair Rodriguez for the same.

Aljamain Sterling reacts to Diego Lopes’ spinning elbow, ready to prove himself as a striker

Those like Aljamain Sterling or former No. 1-ranked IBJJF competitor/BJJ world titleholder Mackenzie Dern are usually characterized by their intelligent scrambles and ground game. But ‘Funk Master’ wants a second chapter of gold and glory, and to do that, he wants to prove himself an all-around fighter and has been honing his striking.

In his last high-octane performance against Brian Ortega, he injured himself during a smashing spinning elbow. Diego Lopes is quite the prolific striker and recently got a step closer to the top with a gradual fenceside TKO (spinning elbow, punches) – around the 4:48 mark over Team Fighting Nerd’s Silva. Aljo, in good mood, even joked and self-caricatured that seemingly he’s the only one not to drop a guy with spinning strikes and instead gets hurt.

Aljamain Sterling shows the damage from Brian Ortega’s spinning elbow — leaving him unable to bend his arm. 😬😬

🎥 @funkmasterMMA pic.twitter.com/pM2TcpnVTw

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) August 24, 2025

I had to hide it or Ortega would’ve smelled the blood. Compromised in RDs 4&5 and I still fought well and tried my best. This is how the fight game goes sometimes. No one has finished Ortega outside of the DR. Ppl are quick to forget that he’s a dawg https://t.co/32Ttp6M4cR

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) August 25, 2025

But that does not dull his resolve for another reign. Sterling also posted on Instagram (and on X) that he is set on winning the title and is prepared to face Lopes in a striking barrage if need be, to demonstrate he can do it.

They said I have no striking, I shut them up. They said this guy and that guy will “spark” me, I shut them up. I’ve always been the underdog and I continue to show up. I didn’t go 12-0 and set the bantamweight record for wins and title defences because I got hand outs 😂 RUN IT!…

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 14, 2025

After a finish in front of the raucous San Antonio fanbase, Diego Lopes has options for a title eliminator like Lerone Murphy or Rodriguez Aljo cracked the 145-pound top-5 rankings with a win over Ortega, and Lopes has won against him as well. So, the former thinks this would be a legitimate matchup to seek out a real top contender, as they both deserve a shot.

ALSO READ: Jean Silva Plans to Tie The Knot at UFC Performance Institute, after Noche UFC 3