Aljamain Sterling Announces Move to Featherweight Division
In a surprising turn of events, former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has declared his intention to move up a weight class and compete in the featherweight division. This significant career shift was revealed during an appearance on the Mighty Podcast, hosted by MMA legend Demetrious Johnson.
Sterling's decision comes after a notable tenure at 135 pounds, where he recently lost the bantamweight title to Sean O'Malley at UFC 292. Prior to this defeat, Sterling had been on an impressive nine-fight winning streak, successfully defending his title three times. Despite this setback, Sterling is eyeing a fresh start at 145 pounds, setting his sights on top contenders like Alexander Volkanovski and aiming for a high-profile debut against Max Holloway—a fight that could position him as a major player in the featherweight landscape.
At 5'7", Sterling will be one of the smaller fighters in the featherweight category, yet he carries with him a wealth of experience and a track record of success, including a TKO victory in his sole previous featherweight bout at Cage Fury FC 10 back in 2011.
Navigating Weight and Health
Weight management has always been a pivotal aspect of Sterling's career. He candidly shared his past struggles with making weight, admitting to reaching as much as 180 pounds outside of competition—a weight he describes as "not a good, healthy 180." Currently, Sterling maintains a healthier weight of around 170-171 pounds, a regimen that keeps him fit and ready for competition.
Through rigorous testing, it was determined that Sterling is 26.7 percent over the bantamweight limit when compared to his peers in the division—an astonishing figure that underscores the challenges he faced to make the 135-pound mark. "I've always done it. It's the only thing I've ever known and I've always competed at a high level and I won," Sterling reflects on his history of weight cutting. Despite the difficulties, he has consistently managed to meet the required weight, underscoring his discipline and commitment to the sport.
Differing Perspectives
Not everyone agrees with Sterling's decision to change divisions. Daniel Cormier, former two-division UFC champion and respected commentator, has voiced his opinion that Sterling should remain in the bantamweight class. Cormier suggests that fighters typically switch weight classes in search of new challenges or due to a lack of success, neither of which he believes applies to Sterling. Instead, Cormier argues that Sterling's chances of working his way back to a title shot would be better served at 135 pounds, where he has already proven himself to be a formidable competitor.
Despite Cormier's reservations, Sterling remains steadfast in his choice, seeing the move as an opportunity to rejuvenate his career and test his skills against the featherweight division's elite. He even teased the possibility of making his featherweight return on a major event such as UFC 300 or perhaps earlier in March, indicating that plans are already in motion for his next chapter inside the Octagon.
Looking Ahead
Aljamain Sterling's transition to featherweight is poised to shake up the division and inject fresh narratives into the mix. His willingness to challenge himself against larger opponents speaks volumes about his competitive spirit and desire to continue evolving as a martial artist. As fans and pundits speculate on his potential in the 145-pound division, Sterling is focused on proving that his championship pedigree can translate across weight classes.
With a potential matchup against Max Holloway on the horizon, Sterling has the chance to immediately establish himself as a significant contender. A victory over a former champion like Holloway would not only validate Sterling's decision to move up but also propel him towards the upper echelon of the featherweight ranks. As the MMA community watches closely, Aljamain Sterling's journey at featherweight is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing storylines to follow in the coming months.