Aljamain Sterling, the former bantamweight champ, is ready to make waves in the featherweight division. The ‘Funk Master’ has his sights set on a new target: Movsar Evloev.
Sterling’s confidence is sky-high after his impressive featherweight debut at UFC 300. Now, he’s looking to climb the ladder even faster in his new weight class.
Sterling dominated Calvin Kattar in a unanimous decision win that turned heads in his debut. The American fighter made a bold prediction in a recent interview with MMA Fighting. He believes a first-round finish of the undefeated Evloev will guarantee him a title shot.
“I go out there, and I finish Movsar Evloev in the first round, I’m getting a guaranteed title shot. I can’t see any other way around it. 100% believe that,” said Sterling.
Aljamain Sterling’s enthusiasm was palpable. But let’s not forget, Evloev is no pushover. The Russian fighter boasts an impressive undefeated 7-0 record in the UFC. Sterling, however, seems unfazed by the challenge. He’s already mapping out his path to the top.
The matchup is set for UFC 307 on October 5th in Salt Lake City. Both these fighters have wrestling-heavy styles. Sterling is keeping his strategy against Evloev close to his chest. But if his words are any indication, he’s planning to come out swinging!
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Aljamain Sterling Gives His Take On Changes In Rules For Grounded Opponents
The ‘Funk Master’ recently weighed in on the upcoming rule changes for grounded opponents. Sterling, known for his grappling prowess, seems to welcome these new regulations. He believes they’ll bring much-needed clarity to the octagon.
The new rules aim to eliminate the ambiguity surrounding what constitutes a grounded opponent. Sterling pointed out how some fighters have been playing the system. They’d put a hand down to become a ‘grounded opponent’ and avoid certain strikes.
“I think it’s perfect. It gives us a more definitive decision on what you need to do. People play the game, they put their hand down and get mad at me because of their insecurities…The rule change makes things clear cut, super easy to define,” said Sterling via MMA Fighting.
Aljamain Sterling appreciates the simplicity these changes bring to the sport. He believes they’ll make it crystal clear what’s legal and what’s not. Under the new rules, a fighter can’t just touch the canvas with a fingertip. To gain protection, they must make themselves a true ‘downed opponent.’ As the UFC continues to evolve, so do its rules. And with fighters like Sterling voicing their approval, it seems they’re on the right track.
