Aljamene Sterling has listed his rivals
Cashing in: Sterling's Future Plans Revealed
UFC's former lightweight champ Aljamain Sterling has opened up about his forthcoming battles. In a candid chat with Ariel Helwani, Sterling expressed his enthusiasm for squaring off against either Brian Ortega or Arnold Allen, hinting at a potential August showdown:
"I'm down to face off against one of them in August."
As of now, the 35-year-old American fighter competes in the featherweight class. His last octagon appearance was at UFC 310 in December, where he suffered a defeat against Movsar Evloev via judges' decision. A win over either of the mentioned adversaries could catapult him back into title contention.
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Insights:
Though no solid information is available about Sterling battling Ortega or Allen this August, Sterling has been vocal about his wish for a rematch with Sean O'Malley. However, the much-anticipated rematch has yet to materialize. Here are some vital insights about Sterling's current stance and potential future bouts:
Where He Stands Now
- O'Malley Rematch Dispute: Sterling has voiced his disappointment over missing out on a rematch against O'Malley, who outpoints Sterling for the bantamweight title at UFC 292 in August 2023. Sterling feels O'Malley wasn't adequately prepared for the rematch, leading to a sense of unfairness[3].
Prospective Opponents
- Brian Ortega: Renowned for his grappling prowess, Brian Ortega makes for a tough adversary in the featherweight division. While there's no current news linking him to a fight with Sterling, Ortega's grappling skills could prove to be a challenging test for Sterling if they ever lock horns.
- Arnold Allen: On the rise in the featherweight division, Arnold Allen has been impressing with his recent performances. If Sterling decides to shift to featherweight, a fight against Allen would make for an intriguing conflict.
Title Implications
- Bantamweight Title: Sterling's hopes for a title rematch against O'Malley still hang in the balance. If he chooses to target the featherweight division, securing a place among the contenders would be the way forward to challenge for the title.
- Featherweight Title: If Sterling decides to join the featherweight division, he would need a series of impressive victories to earn a title shot against the reigning champion.
In essence, although nothing is set in stone regarding a rare contest against Ortega or Allen in August, Sterling's future moves could involve a switch to featherweight or continuing his pursuit of a bantamweight title rematch. The outcome of any upcoming matches would rely on Sterling's approach to re-establish himself as a title contender.
Bookmakers might be intrigued by Aljamain Sterling's potential switch to the featherweight division, considering his enthusiasm for clashing against Brian Ortega or Arnold Allen. Such a mixed-martial-arts showdown could significantly impact Sterling's title aspirations in the featherweight class.
