Aljamain Sterling on UFC title shot: Someone else deserves it more

Aljamain Sterling on UFC title shot: Someone else deserves it more

LAS VEGAS – Aljamain Sterling knows what it feels like when politics and popularity run matchmaking meritocracy off-course.

Perhaps that's why he remained honest following his dominant UFC Fight Night 274 main event win Saturday over Youssef Zalal by unanimous decision at the Meta APEX.

Sterling is arguably the biggest-named contender with any sort of momentum. But rather than bark into the microphone about how he should jump straight into a title shot, Sterling took a more humble approach.

"You guys all watched Movsar vs. Lerone Murphy, and I'm just saying I let the fans decide. I let the UFC brass decide. I do think Movsar deserves it," Sterling told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. "But if they do offer me the opportunity, I'm not going to say no. I'm not going to say, 'This guy deserves it (instead).' If they offer it to me, then hell yeah I'm taking it. I'm going to give it everything I've got until the wheels fall off. I think it's a fight that everybody would love to see: two OGs of the sport. Why not? It just makes a whole lot of sense. I don't know."

The UFC has not announced the next title fight for Volkanovski (28-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC). However, many forecast it'll be Evloev (20-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC), who holds a win over Sterling. The two fought in December 2024 in a closely contested decision that Evloev eked out.

"I just don't want to feel like I'm talking sh*t to Movsar because I'm not," Sterling said. "I respect the guy. People might say whatever. I just do truly feel like I won that fight. If not, it's a draw, at worst. At the end of the day, the UFC makes the decisions. I'm just here to do my part, collect some checks, drink some rum, smoke some fine cigars after the fine work is done. I'm just enjoying life, living the dream. I'm living the American dream, and that's what it's all about."

Sterling, 36, doesn't know where he's headed next. But one thing is certain: he likes where he's been recently. Since he moved to featherweight after a bantamweight title loss, Sterling has gone 3-1 at 145 pounds. Saturday's victory over Zalal (18-6-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) was domination.