Aljamain Sterling is planning to get married on October 5, the day following Merab Dvalishvili’s title defense at UFC 320 in Las Vegas. Sterling’s wedding coincides closely with this significant championship event, placing the spotlight on both the upcoming fight and the former bantamweight champion’s personal milestone.
Merab Dvalishvili, the current bantamweight titleholder from Georgia, claimed the championship in 2024 after Sterling’s reign. Sterling and Dvalishvili have maintained a friendly relationship, despite never having faced each other inside the UFC octagon. After losing the bantamweight title to Sean O’Malley in 2023, Sterling moved up to featherweight, allowing Dvalishvili to defend the bantamweight crown, including avenging previous losses by defeating O’Malley twice.
Sterling is preparing for his own return to the cage against former title contender Brian Ortega in the co-main event at UFC Shanghai on August 23. Alongside his return to fighting, Sterling has carefully planned his wedding to follow just one day after Dvalishvili’s title defense against challenger Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320.
Sterling Extends Wedding Invitation to Former Rival Petr Yan
Among the guests Sterling has invited to his wedding is Petr Yan, a two-time UFC bantamweight champion and Sterling’s notable rival. Their history is marked by dramatic moments, including their first meeting at UFC 259 in 2021, where Yan was disqualified after delivering an illegal knee to a grounded Sterling. This resulted in Sterling becoming the only UFC fighter to win a title by disqualification.
Following that bout, Sterling and Yan faced off again in a title unification match at UFC 273 in 2022, where Sterling won via a close split decision. Despite their contentious past and intense battles inside the octagon, Sterling invited Yan to his wedding.
I said, brother, come to the wedding,
Sterling confirmed on his YouTube channel.
He said, if I’m in the states, I will come,
Sterling added about Yan’s likely attendance.
The chances of Yan being present are high, as he may also attend UFC 320 in Las Vegas, potentially as a backup fighter for the Dvalishvili versus Sandhagen title bout.
A Star-Studded Guest List Reflects Sterling’s Ties Within UFC
Sterling’s guest list extends beyond Yan to include a wide range of UFC personalities, underscoring the close connections he has within the sport. Several fighters and UFC officials are expected to attend, turning the wedding into a significant UFC-related event.
We got Al Iaquinta, possibly Mike Perry, maybe Chris Weidman,
Sterling said when discussing his guest list.
Other confirmed invitees include Jamahal Hill, Ode Osbourne, Nazim Sadykhov, and Charlie Campbell, showing the breadth of Sterling’s relationships across divisions and experience levels.
It’s just gonna be a big a– UFC event at this point,
Sterling joked.
He also plans to invite the UFC’s matchmakers, including Hunter Campbell and Dana White, hoping White will cover expenses to help ensure an unforgettable celebration. Reflecting on the timing of his wedding so close to Dvalishvili’s title defense, Sterling remarked, This is some movie s—.
The convergence of Sterling’s personal milestone with a major UFC event highlights the interconnectedness of fighters and the vibrant community within the sport. With the wedding following the Merab Dvalishvili UFC 320 defense, fans can expect high excitement in both the sporting and personal spheres surrounding the UFC world this fall.