TLDR
- Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling demanded a featherweight title shot in a profanity-laced post-fight interview after winning at RAF06
- Sterling criticized the UFC for booking other fights instead of giving him a title opportunity despite his resume as a former champion
- The fighter holds a 2-1 record at featherweight with wins over Brian Ortega and Calvin Kattar and a loss to Movsar Evloev
- Sterling called out Jean Silva, Yair Rodriguez, or Youssef Zalal as potential opponents for an interim title bout
- He defended his bantamweight belt more times than most champions and has been with the UFC since 2014
Sources: National Today | Bloody Elbow | MMA Mania
Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling launched an expletive-filled attack on the promotion Saturday night, demanding a featherweight title shot after his victory at the RAF06 event. The outburst marks Sterling’s latest frustration with what he sees as unfair treatment from the UFC.
“Give me my f—ing shot, I deserve a shot at the title, OG vs OG, I’m smarter than all of these dumb motherf—ers out there,” Sterling said in his post-fight interview. He specifically criticized the UFC for giving Diego Lopes a rematch after a poor performance.
Sterling’s Featherweight Record
Since moving up from bantamweight, Sterling has competed three times at 145 pounds. He holds a 2-1 record in the division with victories over Brian Ortega and Calvin Kattar and a single loss to Movsar Evloev.
Sterling believes his credentials as a former champion should earn him an immediate title shot. “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,” he said.
The former champion criticized the UFC for booking fights like the upcoming matchup between Aaron Pico and Patricio ‘Pitbull’ instead of offering him a title opportunity. He called himself an “OG of the game” who has earned his spot at the top of the division.
Potential Opponents Named
Sterling offered three specific names for potential interim title fights to strengthen his case for a championship bout. He said he would be willing to face Jean Silva, Yair Rodriguez, or Youssef Zalal in an interim title matchup.
The callouts show Sterling’s willingness to fight another top contender before getting his title shot. An interim title bout would give him leverage with the promotion and put him directly in line for a championship opportunity.
Sterling’s bantamweight reign included multiple title defenses, tying him with some of the division’s all-time greats. He has been with the UFC for over a decade, first joining the promotion in 2014.
His move to featherweight came after losing his bantamweight championship. The transition has been mostly successful, with two wins over top-ranked opponents in Ortega and Kattar.
The only loss at 145 pounds came against Evloev, a rising contender in the division. Sterling believes that setback should not prevent him from getting a title shot given his overall resume and accomplishments in the sport.
Sterling won his most recent fight at the RAF06 event this past Saturday. The victory prompted his passionate call for a title opportunity at featherweight.
