After securing a victory at RAF06 this past Saturday, Aljamain Sterling expressed his dissatisfaction with how the UFC is managing the featherweight division. The former UFC bantamweight champion, who recently moved up to compete at 145 pounds, called out the organization, demanding an immediate shot at the featherweight title following his latest win.
Sterling’s Recent Performances and Title Aspirations
Since transitioning to the featherweight category, Sterling has fought three times. He claimed victories over Brian Ortega and Calvin Kattar but suffered a loss to Movsar Evloev. Despite winning against Kattar, the 36-year-old has struggled to secure his next fight, frequently pushing for a title match, yet no official bout has been scheduled.
Following his recent win by technical fall against Benson Henderson, Sterling vented his frustration at the UFC’s match-making decisions. He criticized the organization for scheduling fights that do not involve him and highlighted his long-standing commitment to the sport since 2014.
“Nothing (in the works) as of yet, I saw that announcement, the battle of the Bellasores,”
Sterling said in reference to the UFC scheduling a fight between Aaron Pico and Patricio ‘Pitbull’.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time, been with the company since 2014, I’ve been calling my shot, defended my belt the most in the bantamweight division, tied with a couple of other greats.
“Give me my f—— shot, I deserve a shot at the title, OG vs OG, I’m smarter than all of these dumb motherf—— out there… Diego Lopes gets a f—— rematch and he goes out there and fights worse.”
“Yeah, I don’t have knockout power, that’s never been my game, I win with (my head), I’m smarter than a lot of these guys. I’m an OG of the game, give me my f—— title shot, I’ll put on a good show… I’ve earned this.”
Sterling Ready to Face Other Featherweight Contenders While Awaiting Title Shot
Sterling has also indicated a willingness to step in as a backup for the upcoming UFC London main event between Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev. However, he noted reports suggesting that Jean Silva might fill that role instead.
Until he secures a title fight, Sterling stated his openness to competing against other featherweight contenders like Silva, Yair Rodriguez, or Youssef Zalal to reinforce his claim for the championship opportunity.
The Stakes Behind Sterling’s Demand for a Featherweight Title Bout
Aljamain Sterling’s insistence on receiving a featherweight title shot underscores mounting tensions within the UFC’s featherweight lineup, where deserving contenders feel overlooked. His persistence reflects both his proven track record as a former bantamweight champion and his aspiration to establish himself among the division’s elite. The UFC’s response in booking Sterling’s next fight will likely influence the division’s competitive dynamics and Sterling’s career trajectory moving forward.
