Aljamain Sterling's Featherweight Aspirations
In a surprising twist to his illustrious fighting career, former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has announced a move to the featherweight division. This revelation came during his appearance on the Mighty Podcast, hosted by none other than mixed martial arts (MMA) icon Demetrious Johnson.
Sterling, whose physicality has been a topic of discussion among fight aficionados, has previously tipped the scales at 180 pounds outside of competition—a weight he admits wasn't his healthiest form. Currently maintaining a more svelte physique at around 170-171 pounds, Sterling asserts that this is a comfortable and fit weight for him, as evidenced by his maintained athleticism and visible abs.
The shift in weight class follows a setback at UFC 292, where Sterling surrendered his bantamweight title to Sean O'Malley. Prior to this defeat, Sterling was riding high on a nine-fight winning streak, successfully defending his title three times. Despite the loss, Sterling's ambition remains undimmed as he sets his sights on top contenders in the featherweight category, notably expressing a desire to square off against luminaries like Alexander Volkanovski.
For his debut in the new division, Sterling is targeting a bout with Max Holloway, a victory over whom could catapult him into significant contention. However, some voices within the MMA community, including that of former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier, have expressed reservations about Sterling's decision to change weight classes. Cormier suggests that fighters often switch divisions in response to challenges or a lack of success, implying that Sterling might be better served by remaining at 135 pounds.
Cormier's concerns are not unfounded, given that Sterling's stature—standing at 5'7"—would place him among the smaller competitors within the featherweight ranks. Yet, Sterling is no stranger to the featherweight landscape, having secured a TKO victory at Cage Fury FC 10 back in 2011 during an earlier stint in the category.
Weight Management and Competitive Spirit
The debate over Sterling's move is further fueled by his own admission of being 26.7 percent over the bantamweight limit when compared to his peers—a statistic that underscores the extreme weight cuts athletes undergo to compete. Despite the daunting numbers, Sterling maintains confidence in his ability to make weight, drawing from his extensive experience in wrestling and MMA to meet these rigorous demands.
"I've been 180, a little heavier than 180. It's not a good, healthy 180, but I could get up there," Sterling confessed, acknowledging the rigors of his weight management. His commitment to competing at the highest level, despite the challenges of making weight, is unwavering: "People can say whatever they want. This is the only way I know how to compete from wrestling, to college wrestling, to now MMA. It's not easy, but I always get it done."
His determination shines through when discussing potential timelines for his featherweight debut. With both fighters currently unbooked, Sterling suggested that a match-up with Holloway could be a marquee addition to a major event such as UFC 300, or perhaps materialize in March.
Industry Perspectives
Daniel Cormier, while acknowledging Sterling's competitive nature and past successes, remains skeptical: "He doesn't have anything to do right now. I don't have anything to do right now. I think UFC 300 could be a fire card, comeback for that, or maybe March." Cormier posits that Sterling's physical dimensions present a challenge in the featherweight class but concedes that the fighter's skill set gives him a viable path back to title contention at bantamweight.
Reflecting on his career trajectory and decision-making, Sterling remains philosophical yet firm: "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. I was like, if it ain't broke don't fix it."
As the MMA world watches on, Aljamain Sterling's journey into the featherweight division promises to add another compelling chapter to his storied career. Whether this move will lead to redemption and resurgence or prove to be a miscalculation remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Sterling's competitive fire burns as fiercely as ever.