Aljamain Sterling issued a confident callout following his victory at UFC Vegas 116, targeting both Movsar Evloev and Alexander Volkanovski. Sterling emphasized his unique fighting style, mixing attacks and utilizing difficult-to-stop takedowns backed by veteran experience. He declared that he knows when to push forward and when to strategically pull back. Sterling demanded a title shot, citing his 12 years in the company and 23 UFC fights, only three of which were against unranked opponents. He called for respect and declared himself the next title contender.
Aljamain Sterling wasted no time after his victory at UFC Vegas 116 on April 26, stepping forward to demand a shot at the featherweight title and naming both Movsar Evloev and Alexander Volkanovski as his targets.
Sterling, known as "Funk Master," carries a 26-5 record and sits fourth in the featherweight rankings. The 36-year-old from the United States, training out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, has built his case across 23 UFC appearances — only three of which came against unranked competition. His argument is hard to ignore on paper: he lands 4.45 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and averages 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes, complemented by a submission threat rate of 0.6 attempts per 15 minutes. Sterling pointed to his ability to mix offensive attacks, execute difficult-to-stop takedowns, and know when to press or pull back as the foundation of what makes him a uniquely dangerous opponent.
Standing in his way at the top of the divisional ladder is Evloev, the undefeated Russian contender ranked first at featherweight. The 32-year-old American Top Team product holds a spotless 20-0 record and is an aggressive grappler, averaging 4.78 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 3.91 significant strikes per minute. Evloev has never lost as a professional.
The division's reigning champion, Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski, is the other name Sterling called out. The Australian holds a 28-4 record, ranks third pound-for-pound, and leads the featherweight division in striking output at 5.99 significant strikes per minute with a 57 percent accuracy rate. The 37-year-old out of Freestyle Fighting Gym represents the title shot Sterling is ultimately chasing.
Why it matters
- Sterling's résumé of 23 UFC fights with minimal padding gives his title-shot demand genuine weight
- A Sterling vs. Evloev matchup would pit the division's fourth-ranked fighter against its top-ranked unbeaten contender
- Volkanovski's champion status makes him the prize, but the Evloev fight may be the required next step
- The 12-year UFC veteran is framing this as a question of respect as much as rankings
