The bout is an important one at 145 pounds with both fighters at the top of the division. Sterling debuted at UFC 300 in April and defeated Calvin Kattar. The bout was his first since his UFC bantamweight title reign came to an end vs. Sean O’Malley in August 2023.

A potential title eliminator-turned-grudge match for the Ultimate Fighting Championship will go on a few months later than expected. For the UFC 307 card in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5, the UFC had matched Movsar Evloev (18-0) against Aljamain Sterling (24-4) together for a possible no.

If I’m going to risk it for the biscuit, that’s the guy I would risk it with,” Aljamain Sterling said of Diego Lopes.

Aljamain Sterling has set his sights on a new target in the featherweight division, following the cancellation of his bout with Movsar Evloev

It might be later than many hoped, but fans will still get the chance to take in a much-anticipated fight between Aljamain Sterling and Movsar Evloev.

The UFC matchmakers moved fast to re-book Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling after Sterling's recent withdrawal.

Aljamain Sterling eyes Diego Lopes in his UFC return, but the Brazilian is more interested in fighting former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.