Diego Lopez continued his run of devastating striking performances at UFC Freedom, recording knockdowns in each of his last four bouts across five incidents. His latest showing has fueled calls for a contender matchup with Aljamain Sterling.
Diego Lopez has put the UFC bantamweight division on notice, recording another knockdown at UFC Freedom to extend a remarkable run that now spans four consecutive bouts and five total knockdown incidents.
The performance has generated significant buzz around a potential matchup with featherweight contender Aljamain Sterling, with calls growing louder for the two to be matched up in what would be a high-profile contender clash.
Sterling, known as "Funk Master," carries a 26-5-0 record and is currently ranked fourth in the featherweight division. The 36-year-old American, who trains out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team, brings a well-rounded offensive game to every fight. Fighting out of an orthodox stance at five-foot-seven with a 71-inch reach, Sterling lands 4.45 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy rate of 52 percent, while also averaging 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes — a combination that makes him a threat across multiple phases of a fight.
Why it matters
- Lopez's knockdown streak across four straight bouts signals elite striking power and positions him as a serious contender
- A matchup with the fourth-ranked Sterling would give Lopez a direct path into the featherweight title picture
- Sterling's blend of striking volume and takedown output presents a stylistically complex puzzle for any power puncher
- The fight, if made, would carry significant divisional stakes heading into the second half of 2026
