Aljamain Sterling eyes April return against Arnold Allen, Brian Ortega

MIAMI – Former UFC bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling isn’t accomplished attempting to find gold.

“The Funk Grasp” has already left his mark on the UFC’s 135-pound division by capturing the title and recording three defenses. After dropping the title to Sean O’Malley at UFC 292, Sterling (24-5 MMA, 16-5 UFC) moved to featherweight, selecting up a giant win in his divisional debut over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300.

Given his identify and standing as a former champion, he was possible one win away if he may get previous the undefeated Movsar Evloev at UFC 310. Sadly, the judges weren’t on his facet that evening, initially inflicting him to query his combating future.

“Numerous followers don’t suppose I misplaced that battle,” Sterling informed MMA Junkie. “I watched it again a pair instances now, and I nonetheless don’t suppose I misplaced the battle. Clearly, the judges are the decide, so no matter they are saying goes to remain within the historical past books. I’d like to run it again with him, if not, perhaps battle Arnold Allen, Brian Ortega.”

As a 1-1 fighter at 145 kilos, Sterling, 35, stays assured {that a} path to the title remains to be viable. For now, the discuss of retirement has subsided. The fights to come back will need to have which means, although. Sterling desires to get his arms on the featherweight title, and is open to taking place no matter path that will require.

“I wish to battle up,” Sterling stated. “I don’t actually wish to battle down, but when I’ve to, to show my price once more, then it’s what it’s. I’m nonetheless chasing that gold. If I may get a second gold belt, man, that’s one other legacy factor that individuals can’t take away from me.

“So, I’m chasing historical past at this level. In fact, the paychecks are good, however I’m not combating simply to be in there to say I’m combating. I’m in there to beat the very best guys. I’m in there to say I fought the very best guys, and that’s what it’s about for the remainder of my profession.”

Sterling at the moment sits at No. 9 within the UFC’s featherweight rankings. Evloev holds the No. 4 spot, whereas the names he talked about as potential subsequent opponents, Ortega and Allen, maintain No. 6 and seven respectively. Whereas he’s just a little additional down the ladder than he would love, Sterling stays assured a win or two would put him proper again within the title combine, particularly contemplating the uncertainty of the present champion, Ilia Topuria.

“I’d say (I’m) perhaps one or two fights away,” Sterling stated. “So, it simply actually relies on the panorama, how I look within the battle, what Topuria’s going to do. If he’s going to vacate, then that places two new challengers to battle for a vacated belt. So, it actually relies upon.

“I don’t actually know what’s going to occur sooner or later, however I’m patiently ready. Hopefully, I could make my return in April. Perhaps battle once more in August or September, and prepare to go.”