Aljamain Sterling Announces Division Change
In a surprising turn of events, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has announced his intention to move up a weight class. Sterling revealed his plans to join the featherweight division during an appearance on the Mighty Podcast, hosted by MMA legend Demetrious Johnson.
Sterling's decision comes after a storied run in the bantamweight category, where he recently relinquished his title to Sean O'Malley at UFC 292. Prior to this defeat, Sterling had been riding high on a nine-fight winning streak, successfully defending his championship three times. His tenure in the bantamweight division was marked by exceptional performance and resilience, making his transition to featherweight a topic of much discussion among fans and analysts alike.
Despite his past success, Sterling believes that moving up in weight could be beneficial for his career. He currently maintains a healthy weight of around 170-171 pounds outside of competition, which he feels is optimal for his performance. "I feel good fighting where I'm at right now," Sterling commented, emphasizing his physical readiness and comfort at his current weight.
Weight Management and Health Considerations
The fighter's history with weight management has been a challenging one. Sterling has admitted to being as heavy as 180 pounds outside of his fighting commitments, acknowledging that it wasn't a "healthy 180." The struggle to make the bantamweight limit has been a constant battle for him, but one that he has always managed to overcome. "It's not easy, but I always get it done," Sterling affirmed, despite being 26.7 percent over the weight class limit when compared to his peers in the bantamweight division.
His commitment to rigorous weight cutting reflects a wrestler's discipline, a trait that Sterling has carried over from his wrestling background into his mixed martial arts career. This dedication has fueled his success across different levels of competition, encapsulating his philosophy of not fixing what isn't broken.
Future Prospects and Challenges
Looking ahead, Sterling has set his sights on competing against top-tier featherweight contenders, expressing a particular interest in a matchup with Alexander Volkanovski. However, he is planning to make his featherweight debut against none other than Max Holloway, a fight that could immediately position him as a significant contender within the division.
While Sterling is confident about his new path, not everyone shares his optimism. Daniel Cormier, former two-division UFC champion and respected commentator, has voiced concerns regarding Sterling's decision to change divisions. Cormier suggests that fighters often switch weight classes in response to challenges or a lack of success, yet Sterling's track record in the bantamweight division hardly fits that narrative. Cormier believes that Sterling's best chances lie at 135 pounds, where he has already proven himself to be a formidable force.
At 5'7", Sterling would indeed be one of the smaller athletes in the featherweight category, which raises questions about how he will fare against naturally larger opponents. Nonetheless, Sterling has previously fought at featherweight early in his career, securing a TKO victory at Cage Fury FC 10 back in 2011, which might serve as a confidence booster as he re-enters the division at a higher level of competition.
A Potential Comeback at UFC 300?
As for his next steps, Sterling hinted at the possibility of marking his featherweight debut at a milestone event. "He doesn't have anything to do right now. I don't have anything to do right now. I think UFC 300 could be a fire card, comeback for that, or maybe March," he mused, suggesting that his return to the octagon could align with one of the UFC's marquee events.
The MMA community will undoubtedly be watching closely as Aljamain Sterling embarks on this new chapter in his career. Whether this move proves to be a masterstroke or a misstep remains to be seen, but Sterling's track record of perseverance and adaptability suggests that he may yet again defy expectations and thrive in the featherweight division.