Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is targeting a return to title contention in the featherweight division after moving up in weight in 2023. Since leaving the bantamweight class following his loss to Sean O’Malley at UFC 292, Sterling has recorded one win and one loss at featherweight, but remains focused on his goal of capturing the 145-pound championship.
Sterling Commits to Featherweight Title Ambitions Despite Setbacks
After struggling with weight cuts to remain at bantamweight, Sterling decided to challenge himself in the featherweight division, where the competition includes larger and more powerful fighters. His move up has also been influenced by his friendship with Merab Dvalishvili, which kept him engaged in his new weight class. Although the loss to Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 was a significant obstacle, Sterling stays confident and motivated. Responding to a fan’s encouragement on social media, he stated,
“I can still see the path!”
—Aljamain Sterling, UFC Fighter.
In the aftermath of his defeat by Evloev, Sterling emphasized his determination on X, writing,
“Movsar is a beast, I showed where I belong in this division. For now, we decompress and heal up, then get ready to climb the ladder again. The dream doesn’t stop unless you give up! I’ll be back!”
—Aljamain Sterling, UFC Fighter.
The featherweight landscape is currently unsettled. Ilia Topuria vacated the belt recently, and Alexander Volkanovski reclaimed the title from Diego Lopes, creating a complex path for challengers like Sterling. Despite these challenges, Sterling’s ambition to become a two-division UFC champion drives him forward.
The Challenging Road Ahead at Featherweight
Sterling sits ninth in the featherweight rankings and faces stiff competition from contenders including Diego Lopes, Yair Rodriguez, Arnold Allen, Brian Ortega, and Max Holloway. To leapfrog these well-established fighters, Sterling must deliver a decisive victory against top opponents. He has identified Arnold Allen as a prime candidate for such a defining matchup.
On The Ariel Helwani Show, Sterling explained his interest in facing Allen, stating,
“It would be nice to shake it up with Arnold Allen. I think he’s a tough striker and believe it or not, I’m interested in seeing what my striking game looks like at [145 pounds] with a guy like that because I don’t have to force the wrestling or worry about being taken down as much… I think it gives me an opportunity to work on my striking at this point of my career and see where my striking is actually at.”
—Aljamain Sterling, UFC Fighter.
Arnold Allen, who last fought at UFC 304 in July 2024, has been recovering from a shoulder injury. Though he had considered moving up to lightweight, ongoing rehab and weight gain could affect his future plans. This uncertainty may delay any potential fight between Sterling and Allen.
Moreover, the UFC may choose to advance other fighters in the queue, such as Max Holloway, who has previously lost to Volkanovski, or possibly others if a fresh champion emerges. Sterling’s willingness to challenge himself in unfamiliar territory highlights his resilience and determination to reclaim championship status.
At 35 years old, time is a factor for Sterling as he aims for featherweight gold. Still, his commitment to overcoming obstacles remains clear as he continues preparing for the next opportunity to prove himself in the division.