Aljamain Sterling issued callouts to both Movsar Evloev and Alexander Volkanovski following his victory at UFC Vegas 116. Sterling emphasized his unique fighting style, mixing attacks and executing difficult-to-stop takedowns. He highlighted his veteran experience and ability to control pace strategically. Sterling noted this was his 23rd UFC fight in 12 years with the company, with only three fights against non-ranked opponents. He demanded respect and declared himself the next title contender, telling everyone else to back off.
Aljamain Sterling made clear he has no interest in waiting his turn after picking up a victory at UFC Vegas 116 on April 26, calling out both featherweight number-one contender Movsar Evloev and champion Alexander Volkanovski in the same breath.
Sterling, known as "Funk Master," carries a 26-5 record and sits fourth in the featherweight rankings. The 36-year-old American, who trains out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, has built a reputation for blending striking and grappling in ways opponents struggle to solve. He lands 4.45 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and adds 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes to keep foes guessing. Sterling pointed to his 23 UFC appearances across 12 years with the promotion, arguing that the vast majority of his fights have come against ranked competition, and demanded that the division recognize him as the logical next title contender.
Standing in the way of that argument is Evloev, the undefeated Russian who holds the number-one contender spot at featherweight. The 32-year-old American Top Team product owns a spotless 20-0 record and is a genuine grappling threat, averaging 4.78 takedowns per 15 minutes. At five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, Evloev matches Sterling in height but holds a one-inch reach advantage.
Volkanovski, the featherweight champion, ranks third pound-for-pound and brings a 28-4 record into any potential matchup. The 37-year-old Australian leads all three fighters in striking output at 5.99 significant strikes per minute with 57 percent accuracy, numbers that underline why the title picture revolves around him.
Why it matters
- Sterling at number four is making a case to leapfrog the division's conventional queue
- An Evloev matchup would pit two elite grapplers against each other, with Evloev's takedown rate nearly double Sterling's
- A potential Volkanovski fight would be a champion-versus-veteran clash with genuine pound-for-pound stakes
- Sterling's volume and mixed-attack style present a stylistic puzzle for either opponent
