Aljamain Sterling delivered a bold post-fight statement after his victory at UFC Vegas 116, calling out both Movsar Evloev and Alexander Volkanovski. Sterling emphasized his unique fighting style, mixing attacks with difficult-to-stop takedowns and veteran experience. He demanded respect and a title shot, citing his 12 years in the company and 23 UFC fights, with only three against unranked opponents. Sterling declared he knows when to push forward and when to ease off, positioning himself as the next title contender ahead of all others.
Aljamain Sterling wasted no time making his intentions clear after his victory at UFC Vegas 116 on April 26, calling out both featherweight number-one contender Movsar Evloev and champion Alexander Volkanovski in a pointed post-fight statement.
Sterling, known as "Funk Master," carries a 26-5 record and sits at number four in the featherweight rankings. The 36-year-old American from the Serra-Longo Fight Team has built a reputation as one of the division's most versatile threats, landing 4.45 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy while also averaging 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes. He made clear that his blend of striking and grappling, combined with 12 years in the UFC and 23 fights inside the organization, earns him a seat at the table ahead of others. He stressed that the vast majority of those bouts came against ranked competition, with only three against unranked opponents.
Evloev, the Russian standout from American Top Team, enters this conversation as the division's top-ranked contender with a perfect 20-0 record. The 32-year-old orthodox fighter stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and presents a significant grappling threat of his own, averaging an impressive 4.78 takedowns per 15 minutes. Sterling's callout signals he views Evloev as the logical next step rather than a roadblock.
Volkanovski, meanwhile, holds the featherweight title with a 28-4 record and remains ranked third pound-for-pound. The 37-year-old Australian is among the most accurate strikers in the sport, connecting at 57 percent and landing nearly six significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Sterling's callout positions him as a vocal challenger to Evloev for the right to face Volkanovski next
- A Sterling versus Evloev matchup would pit the fourth-ranked contender against the undefeated number-one, with title implications on the line
- Sterling's grappling volume creates a contrasting stylistic puzzle for Evloev, who himself leads the division in takedown output
