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Diego Lopes is scheduled to challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title in a rematch at UFC 325 on Jan. 31 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. The booking left many fans and fighters disappointed, as Volkanovski convincingly won the vacant title against Lopes in their first outing earlier this year.
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Sterling was also in the race for title contention, although he admits there were more deserving contenders. The former bantamweight champion believes Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy deserved a title shot over Lopes. According to “Funkmaster, while Evloev’s title shot is long overdue, Murphy emerged as a contender with his highlight reel stoppage win over Aaron Pico.
Sterling wonders what needs to be done to earn a title shot in the UFC. Because at this point, Sterling doesn’t think just winning fights is enough. Sterling, who has often been criticized for lackluster outings, notes that not every fighter is a knockout artist. Sterling further wonders if being “loud” or “obnoxious” to promote oneself is the criterion to earn a title shot.
‘Winning Isn’t Enough’
“I just want to have a better understanding on what it is we need to do at this level of the game,” Sterling wrote on X. “Not everyone is a KO artist, not everyone likes be loud or obnoxious to get what should be considered ‘earned.’ What is the criteria?? [Because] winning just isn’t enough. Who do you guys think should’ve gotten the title shot? I say Movsar, with Murphy as a close second.”
Lopes rebounded from the loss against Volkanovski with a knockout win over Jean Silva. Meanwhile, Evloev (19-0) has already beaten Lopes and has since defeated Arnold Allen and Sterling. And Murphy (17-0) has been through tested competition in his last few outings against Edson Barboza, Dan Ige, Josh Emmett and Pico.
I just want to have a better understanding on what it is we need to do at this level of the game. Not everyone is a KO artist, not everyone likes be loud or obnoxious to get what should be considered “earned”. What is the criteria?? Bc winning just isn’t enough. Who do you guys… pic.twitter.com/mcfKGBloRu
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 29, 2025
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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