Movsar Evloev and Diego Lopes are again at it once more.
In January, Evloev received a unanimous determination over Arnold Allen at UFC 297 to maneuver to No. 5 within the UFC featherweight rankings. The win put Evloev in a darkish horse place to battle for the featherweight title subsequent, however after Ilia Topuria dethroned Alexander Volkanovski, the 145-pound title image was thrown up within the air.
Now Evloev wants not less than yet one more battle earlier than a title shot, and following UFC 300, it regarded like that battle could be towards former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. The 2 males each confirmed an curiosity within the bout occurring subsequent, however on Friday, that blew up as Evloev claimed on Twitter that Sterling’s timeline doesn’t match up along with his personal.
In spite of everything that large discuss, Sterling says he received’t be prepared till October. I can’t simply sit and look ahead to him. I’m able to go as early as July. I’ll settle for a battle with anybody who thinks they’ve an opportunity towards me. Is there actually nobody out there who’s up for the problem?
— Movsar Evloev (@MovsarUFC) June 7, 2024
Lol bruuh. He DMs me and I actually advised him Septembe- October the newest. I’ve mentioned in each interview after my battle with Kattar that I wish to battle in September. I don’t know why he’s making an attempt to say this like I’m avoiding him. I’m the previous champ, you battle after I say so. https://t.co/chD7TSAJPt
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 7, 2024
If there’s one factor I hate, it’s mendacity story tellers. I can’t enable this pretend bravado to go on I can’t WAIT to take that “0”! pic.twitter.com/wqNzHITsoc
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 7, 2024
“In spite of everything that large discuss, Sterling says he received’t be prepared till October. I can’t simply sit and look ahead to him. I’m able to go as early as July. I’ll settle for a battle with anybody who thinks they’ve an opportunity towards me. Is there actually nobody out there who’s up for the problem?”
Evloev and Sterling have gone back-and-forth about this potential battle for months now, so it’s attainable that is merely extra angling from Evloev. Nevertheless, one man didn’t take too kindly to it: Evloev’s former foe Lopes.
At UFC 300, Lopes scored one other first-round victory, this time over Sodiq Yusuff, to leap into the UFC featherweight rankings at No. 14. After his win, Lopes referred to as for a rematch with Evloev, which Evloev didn’t acknowledge. So when Evloev requested who was “up for the problem” of going through him, Lopes is greater than keen.
Come on bro, I referred to as you out after my battle at UFC 300, to battle at Worldwide Battle Week. You did not reply or present your face. Now you are right here saying “Anybody you suppose can beat me” ♂️ https://t.co/eXD3czunLR
— Diego Lopes (@Diegolopesmma) June 7, 2024
“Come on bro, I referred to as you out after my battle at UFC 300, to battle at Worldwide Battle Week. You didn’t reply or present your face. Now you’re right here saying “Anybody you suppose can beat me [skeptical emoji]”
Lopes made his UFC debut towards Evloev at UFC 288, stepping in on 5 days’ discover to interchange Bryce Mitchell. Regardless of dropping a unanimous determination, Lopes far exceeded expectations, and adopted that efficiency with two first-round finishes, incomes MMA Preventing’s 2023 Rookie of the 12 months honors.
