Sterling Turned Down Fight vs. Non-Top-10 Opponent, Wants Arnold Allen Bout

Aljamain Sterling has revealed he turned down a featherweight bout offered by the UFC, declining to face an opponent ranked outside the top ten and publicly naming Arnold Allen as his preferred next matchup.

Sterling, known as "Funk Master," holds a 26-5 record and sits at number four in the featherweight division. The 37-year-old American, who trains out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, explained the logic behind his refusal: a loss to a lower-ranked fighter would cost him multiple spots in the rankings, while a win would do little to improve his position. He noted it is the first time in his UFC career he has turned down an offered fight. Sterling lands 4.45 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate and averages 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes, numbers that reflect his well-rounded, high-output style.

The fighter Sterling has his eye on, Arnold Allen, carries a 21-4 record and is currently ranked seventh at featherweight. The 32-year-old Englishman, who fights out of Tristar Gym, is a southpaw standing five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach. Known as "Almighty," Allen averages 3.52 significant strikes per minute and mixes in 1.24 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a versatile threat across multiple phases of a fight.

Why it matters

• Sterling at number four targeting Allen at number seven would be a top-ten featherweight clash with meaningful rankings implications for both men.
• A Sterling win could push him closer to title contention, while an Allen victory would vault the Englishman firmly into the upper tier of the division.
• Stylistically, Sterling's grappling-heavy, high-volume approach would clash with Allen's balanced striking and takedown threat, setting up a compelling mixed-discipline contest.