Aljamain Sterling defeated Movsar Evloev and issued callouts to all top featherweight contenders following his performance. The event saw 11 decisions in 13 fights, with minimal action throughout most bouts. Dana White was present at the White House during a shooting incident and gave a colorful interview afterward, describing the security response as an incredible experience. Carlos Ulberg revealed his recovery timeline is projected at 6-8 months. The overall card was criticized for lack of finishes and excitement.
Aljamain Sterling picked up a dominant victory over Movsar Evloev at featherweight on April 26 and wasted no time calling out the division's top contenders in the aftermath of his performance.
Sterling, known as "Funk Master," improved to 26-5 with the win, cementing his place as the fourth-ranked featherweight at 36 years old. The American fighter out of Serra-Longo Fight Team stands five-foot-seven with a 71-inch reach and brings a well-rounded offensive game to the cage, averaging 4.45 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy while also threatening with takedowns at a rate of 2.45 per 15 minutes and 0.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
The defeat hands Evloev his first professional loss, snapping an unblemished 20-0 record. The 32-year-old Russian from American Top Team had entered the bout as the division's top-ranked contender, making the result a significant upset in the featherweight landscape. Evloev is a five-foot-seven orthodox fighter with a 72-inch reach who had built his undefeated run on strong grappling, averaging 4.78 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a solid 3.91 significant strikes per minute.
The event itself drew criticism for its lack of finishes, producing 11 decisions across 13 bouts, with many fights receiving poor reviews for limited action.
Separately, light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg, ranked third in his division, is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The New Zealand-born City Kickboxing product, who carries a 15-1 record, is projected to be sidelined six to eight months during his recovery. The 35-year-old is one of the more dangerous strikers in the 205-pound division, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Sterling's win over the number-one ranked Evloev dramatically reshuffles the featherweight top five
- Sterling's post-fight callouts signal he views himself as a title contender at 145 pounds
- Ulberg's extended absence creates further uncertainty in a light heavyweight division already in flux
