Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling may be coming off a hard-fought defeat to Movsar Evloev, but the 'Funk Master' believes he can still fight for UFC gold after this.
This comes after it was suggested that current featherweight king Ilia 'El Matador' Topuria could ditch 145lbs in favor of a move to lightweight, leaving the division without a ruler.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Aljamain Sterling suggests an interim title rematch if Ilia Topuria leaves
Earlier this week, Ilia Topuria's coach teased that it won't be long before the Spanish-Georgian sensation leaves the featherweight division in hopes of capturing a second UFC 155-pound title.
While Topuria himself has only just come out to declare that he “will not leave the European Union”. [featherweight] title vacant,” that hasn't stopped a host of top contenders from throwing their names in the title hat – including Aljamain Sterling.
Incredibly, if not somewhat delusional, Sterling took to X (Twitter) today to claim that “Based on the landscape of the division, it should be a rematch with me and Movsar for the [interim] belt.”
Sterling faced Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 a few weeks ago and dropped a unanimous decision to the undefeated Russian; While a rematch sounds fantastic, there's certainly no chance it will be for UFC gold.
Looking at the current rankings, there are eight fighters between Sterling and champion Ilia Topuria – including the aforementioned Evloev, as well as several fighters who arguably deserve the next title, far more than 'Funk Master', such as Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.
UFC fans are trolling 'Funk Master' for suggesting he could fight for the title next
While Aljamain Sterling remains one of the best MMA fighters in the world, the former bantamweight champion has been relentlessly attacked online for his suggestion of an interim title.
“Lopes vs Volk for the belt is the only thing that makes sense,” reads the top comment on his post, with the second being more to the point: “What was actually going through your mind when you tweeted this?”
“Nothing personal, but a rematch with Lopes and Movsar makes more sense. Both are in the top 5 and hungry. Both defeated some tough guys to get theirs. You versus Yair would be great. People versus you would be dope. But I think those two deserve it.”
“lol there's no way they're not doing lopes vs Volk for the vacant spots,” another fan wrote, with several users wondering what Sterling at No. 9 meant by the current “landscape” of the division.
“What landscape? Do you think you can jump over Lopes, Volk and the guy who just beat you?
“Man. While I do want to see you fight for the belt. Absolutely not. Volk versus Lopes.”
“You versus Volk for number 1 contender and Lopes versus Evloev 2 for the title, I think it makes the most sense if Topuria leaves.”
While there are several intriguing fights for Sterling, including a rematch with Evloev, it would be absurd if the UFC chose to put 'Funk Master' in with UFC gold on the line; especially above Lopes or Volkanovski.
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