Aljamain Sterling may not have much Dana White privilege, but the former bantamweight champion believes he might still have more favor with his boss than his opponent, Movsar Evloev, whom he faces on Saturday night at UFC 310.
Ahead of his fight against Evloev in his second appearance at 145 pounds, Sterling addressed the criticism directed at the undefeated Russian, who has compiled an 8-0 record in the UFC without achieving a single finish. The UFC CEO, Dana White, was notably vocal about Evloev’s fighting style, criticizing him for a lackluster performance against Arnold Allen back in January.
“That was the least fun fight anybody has ever seen,” White remarked about Evloev vs. Allen. “Do you know who lost that fight? The fans.”
While Sterling has also been in White’s line of fire in the past, he couldn’t help but smile at someone else taking the heat after a fight.
“I can appreciate a technical fight,” Sterling stated. “I wouldn’t really consider him boring. I think Dana saying that fight with Arnold Allen was boring was kind of a stretch. Most people would probably agree with that.
“I think it’s probably more about his dislike for Movsar. He might dislike him more than me. And that’s a good thing!”
As much as he values Evloev’s winning ability, Sterling recognizes that fans crave finishes, something the featherweight contender has yet to deliver since joining the UFC.
“Eight fights, no finishes, all decisions,” Sterling noted. “I at least secured a couple of finishes early in my career when the competition wasn’t as challenging. That’s what you’re supposed to do—separate yourself from the competition, and I’ve been able to do that.
“Fighting the best guys isn’t easy, especially when it comes to finishing them. But I plan to do that Saturday night against Movsar.”
Despite the fight potentially positioning the winner for a title shot soon, Sterling and Evloev were not placed on the main card at UFC 310.
They also didn’t secure a headline spot on the prelims, instead clashing earlier in the event—something that Sterling finds perplexing.
Perhaps this decision stems from White’s disdain for the grappling-heavy style both fighters employ, but Sterling cannot afford to dwell on those details with the fight just days away.
“I don’t really understand what’s happening because I haven’t spoken to the UFC about it,” Sterling explained. “But nothing changes. I still get paid the same money, regardless of placement on the card. Your contract is your contract.
“One thing I will say is that more people usually watch the prelims. The only downside for me is the Vegas crowd. They might be out partying, having fancy dinners, and doing all sorts of things because what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and they often come only for the main card. So, the arena might not be as packed. That’s the only downside. Other than that, it’s exciting either way. I’m going to party and celebrate a ‘W’ with my friends and family and enjoy some Funk Harbor.”
Sterling and Evloev being placed on the prelims elicited significant criticism from fans, many of whom voiced their opinion that the fight deserved a higher profile. Even main card fighter Bryce Mitchell said he believed Sterling deserved a spot on the main card over him.
Despite this, Sterling appreciates that this perceived slight may have worked in his favor, as supporters seem to rally around him again—a feeling he hasn’t really experienced since winning the UFC bantamweight title by disqualification in 2021.
“Thankfully, the fans have gotten behind me a few times since my move up,” Sterling said. “It’s as if, as soon as I lost the belt, they started coming around again.
“I remember being called the uncrowned people’s champ after victories over guys like [Cory] Sandhagen and Pedro Munhoz. Then I got kneed in the head, and somehow I became the villain overnight. But it is what it is—and it’s nice to see.”
