Not many seem interested in challenging UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Aljamain Sterling, though, believes he has what it takes to defeat the unbeaten fighter.
Sterling, who will take on Movar Evloev in December at UFC 310, recently revealed that his skill set is suitable to dethroning Topuria. Over the weekend, Topuria defended his title with a stunning finish of Max Holloway.
Related: UFC Featherweight Rankings: Ilia Topuria Keeps No. 1 Spot After Flattening Max Holloway At UFC 308
Sterling made three successful defenses of the bantamweight title between 2022-23, setting the UFC record for the division. He won the belt from Petr Yan, defending it first Yan in a rematch along with former champions T.J. Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo.
“If I were to fight him, god willing, I beat Movsar and I do get the crack, I think I have a great style to neutralize his offense,” Sterling said (thanks to MMA Fighting for the quotes). “Most of these guys are sticking with him, I ain’t doing that. We’re sitting there looking for a takedown, (trying) to make it a grappling match to get the W, not trying to get my brain and my head sent to the next dimension again.”
In 2023, Sterling lost via TKO to Sean O’Malley for the belt. He returned this past April to the featherweight division, besting fellow top contender Calvin Kattar to improve to 24-4 overall.
Sterling is not looking past Evolev, as the 30-year-old Russian is a perfect 18-0 in his career. He topped Arnold Allen this past January and is 8-0 since joining the UFC in 20-19.
