Aljamain Sterling News

Aljamain Sterling speaks at the UFC 310 press conference, opposite Tom Aspinall at UFC 321
Tom Aspinall

Aljamain Sterling doubles down on Tom Aspinall injury take after firestorm of fan backlash

Curtis Calhoun - October 28, 2025

Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling responded to fans who blasted him for a strong stance on Tom Aspinall’s eye injury at UFC 321. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s first undisputed title defense ended in controversy after Ciryl Gane accidentally double-poked him in the eyes just minutes into the fight at UFC 321. After taking five full minutes to try to recover, Aspinall was deemed unable to continue competing after telling cageside doctors that he couldn’t see.

Aljamain Sterling speaks at the UFC 310 press conference, opposite Tom Aspinall at UFC 321
Tom Aspinall

UFC fans slam Aljamain Sterling for 'pot meets kettle' take on Tom Aspinall's eye injury at UFC 321

Curtis Calhoun - October 27, 2025

Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling ruffled many fans’ feathers with a bizarre take after UFC 321. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s long-awaited return was brought to a screeching halt against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 last Saturday. Just minutes into the fight, an accidental double eye poke from Gane left Aspinall unable to continue competing, resulting in a no-contest.

Aljamain Sterling
UFC

Aljamain Sterling's coach believes he deserves UFC featherweight title shot

Harry Kettle - September 16, 2025

Aljamain Sterling’s coach Ray Longo believes that his student deserves a shot at the UFC featherweight championship. As we know, Aljamain Sterling is a former UFC bantamweight champion – and he’s doing pretty well up at featherweight, too. At this point in his career, though, you’d have to imagine that if he’s going to get a crack at becoming a two-weight world champ, it needs to happen sooner rather than later.

Aljamain Sterling
UFC

Aljamain Sterling explains why he should face Lerone Murphy in a No. 1 contender fight

Cole Shelton - September 15, 2025

Aljamain Sterling believes a fight against Lerone Murphy makes the most sense. The featherweight title picture is murky as Sterling, Murphy, and Movsar Evloev all could get the next title shot against Alexander Volkanovski. However, Sterling believes Evloev – who’s undefeated – should get the shot, and he should face Murphy in a No. 1 contender bout.

Diego Lopes Aljamain Sterling
Diego Lopes

Aljamain Sterling challenges Diego Lopes to title eliminator after Noche UFC

Harry Kettle - September 15, 2025

Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling is interested in fighting Diego Lopes following the latter’s Noche UFC victory. On Saturday night, Diego Lopes made a real statement by dusting off Jean Silva in the main event of Noche UFC. It was the kind of statement performance that made the masses sit up and take notice, and that includes Aljamain Sterling, who has floated the idea of taking on Lopes in the past.

Aljamain Sterling
UFC

Aljamain Sterling wants "to know who is being a weasel" among MMA managers amid fighter settlement payments

Dylan Bowker - September 4, 2025

Aljamain Sterling wants shady management in mixed martial arts to be spotlighted as he weighed in on some discourse around the UFC’s recent fighter settlement situation. The official X account of Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association, which has advocated for the rights of MMA fighters since 2009, tweeted out a message on this subject, which said, “A public service announcement: All “managers” trying to claim a percentage of fighters settlements-please announce yourselves in public. You did nothing to change the status quo, you did nothing to assist the lawsuit, and you feel entitled to payment? Who are you? Announce.”

Aljamain Sterling vs. Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai
UFC

Aljamain Sterling reveals injury following UFC Shanghai win over Brian Ortega

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 28, 2025

Aljamain Sterling emerged victorious at UFC Shanghai, but some damage was done. Sterling had a one-sided showing against Brian Ortega in their five-round featherweight clash. It was a clean sweep for “Funkmaster,” who secured 50-45 scores from all three judges. It was a big win for Sterling, who now finds himself in the top five featherweight rankings.

Aljamain Sterling punches Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai
UFC

Aljamain Sterling explains what made UFC Shanghai win over Brian Ortega satisfying

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 24, 2025

Aljamain Sterling walked out of UFC Shanghai with a win over Brian Ortega, and he says one aspect of the fight makes the victory that much sweeter. Sterling entered his five-round matchup against Ortega on Saturday looking to remain relevant in the featherweight division. He hadn’t competed since a unanimous decision loss to Movsar Evloev in late 2024. “Funkmaster” was able to rebound by defeating “T-City.” It was a clean sweep for Sterling, who earned score totals of 50-45 across the board.

Brian Ortega, Aljamain Sterling
Brian Ortega

Aljamain Sterling vs Brian Ortega officially changed to catchweight fight

Harry Kettle - August 22, 2025

Tomorrow night’s Aljamain Sterling vs Brian Ortega fight will now take place at a catchweight of 153 pounds. This weekend, Aljamain Sterling and Brian Ortega will meet in what was set to be a crucial featherweight contest. Both men have got ambitions of going after another title shot, and both men are known for being pretty solid on the ground. It has the potential to be one of the most intriguing bouts of the year, and it’ll take place in the co-main event of UFC Shanghai.

Brian Ortega
Brian Ortega

Brian Ortega doesn't expect to get credit if he defeats Aljamain Sterling at UFC Shanghai

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 21, 2025

Brian Ortega isn’t convinced that he’ll get credit if he gets past Aljamain Sterling. Ortega and Sterling are scheduled to collide on Saturday. Their featherweight clash will serve as the co-main event of UFC Shanghai. Both men are coming off losses and could use a boost to stay relevant in the 145-pound title conversation.

Brian Ortega, Aljamain Sterling
Brian Ortega

Brian Ortega is ready for a war with Aljamain Sterling at UFC Shanghai

Harry Kettle - August 21, 2025

UFC featherweight Brian Ortega is prepared for war when he meets Aljamain Sterling at UFC Shanghai this weekend. For the longest time now, Brian Ortega has been viewed as a legitimate contender in the UFC’s featherweight division. He’s even come pretty close to becoming world champion on a few occasions, most notably when he was able to sink in two incredibly deep submission holds against Alexander Volkanovski. Alas, it wasn’t quite meant to be.

Aljamain Sterling
Brian Ortega

Aljamain Sterling criticizes one aspect of UFC Shanghai booking against Brian Ortega

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 20, 2025

Aljamain Sterling isn’t gung-ho about his fight with Brian Ortega being scheduled for five rounds. Sterling and Ortega are set to collide on Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Shanghai. Despite not being the headliner, “Funkmaster” vs. “T-City” will be contested for five rounds if necessary. This doesn’t sit well with the former UFC Bantamweight Champion.

Aljamain Sterling, Aaron Pico
Aljamain Sterling

Aljamain Sterling still believes Aaron Pico 'can still make some noise' in the UFC despite debut loss

Cole Shelton - August 19, 2025

Aljamain Sterling still believes in Aaron Pico despite his debut loss at UFC 319. Sterling, the former UFC bantamweight champion and now seventh-ranked featherweight contender, was paying close attention to the Pico vs Lerone Murphy fight at UFC 319. Sterling felt like Pico was looking good until he got knocked out, but his chin is a concern.

Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan
Petr Yan

Aljamain Sterling explains what's special about former rival Petr Yan

Harry Kettle - August 1, 2025

Aljamain Sterling has explained why his former rival Petr Yan is such a special fighter after his win over Marcus McGhee. Following his recent win over Marcus McGhee, Petr Yan has now won three on the bounce in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While we all know that the bantamweight division is absolutely stacked, there’s every chance that he could earn himself another crack at the title in the not-so-distant future.

Aljamain Sterling
Brian Ortega

UFC Shanghai: ‘Walker vs Mingyang’ Fight Card & Start Times

Harry Kettle - July 10, 2025

The Ultimate Fighting Championship heads back to China next month for UFC Shanghai – and the card is looking pretty interesting. Event: UFC Shanghai: Walker vs Mingyang Date: Saturday, 23rd August 2025 Location: Shanghai Indoor Stadium (Shanghai, China) Broadcast: ESPN+, UFC Fight Pass (7am EST main card)

Aljamain Sterling, Merab Dvalishvili, UFC, MMA
Merab Dvalishvili

Merab Dvalishvili reveals generous wedding gift for Aljamain Sterling following UFC 316 win

BJ Penn Staff - June 11, 2025

Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling are two of the best bantamweights in UFC history. Interestingly, they’re also close friends and training partners. Sterling held the UFC bantamweight belt first. He won it with a disqualification against Petr Yan in 2021, and then defended it three times, against Yan, TJ Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo. He ultimately lost the belt to Sean O’Malley, who went on to lose the belt to Dvalishvili.

Sean O'Malley Aljamain Sterling UFC 292
Sean O'Malley

Aljamain Sterling calls for a rematch against Sean O’Malley after his UFC 316 defeat

Harry Kettle - June 8, 2025

Aljamain Sterling has called for a rematch against Sean O’Malley after the latter’s second straight loss to Merab Dvalishvili. Last night, Sean O’Malley fell to a second straight defeat at the hands of Merab Dvalishvili. This time, though, was perhaps even worse for ‘Suga’, as he was submitted by the man known as ‘The Machine’. It was a tense and tight affair through the first two rounds but once Dvalishvili got a controlling position, things seemed to be fairly one-sided until the finish.

Aljamain Sterling, Sean O'Malley
Sean O'Malley

Aljamain Sterling doesn't quite understand Sean O'Malley's UFC superstardom

Harry Kettle - June 7, 2025

Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling has voiced his confusion at Sean O’Malley’s rise to superstardom in mixed martial arts. As we know, Sean O’Malley is one of the bigger names in the mixed martial arts game these days. While he’s no longer bantamweight champion after losing the strap to Merab Dvalishvili, he has the chance to win the belt back against the very same man later tonight. Of course, when ‘Suga’ captured it in the first place, he beat Merab’s good friend Aljamain Sterling in order to do so.