Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling isn’t done just yet.
Sterling, 35, was last seen in December losing a hugely entertaining back-and-forth grappling battle with the still-unbeaten Movsar Evloev in what was his second bout at 145-pounds. There was speculation in the aftermath that the New Yorker may opt to hang up his 4oz gloves following defeat — but Sterling has now rubbished those suggestions and said that he is readying himself for another run at the title as part of his quest to become the latest fighter on the roster to have held world titles in two weight categories.
“I watched it back a couple times now, and I still don’t think I lost the fight,” Sterling told MMA Junkie of his narrow loss to Evloev.
“Obviously, the judges are the judge, so whatever they say is going to stay in the history books. I would love to run it back with him, if not, maybe fight Arnold Allen, Brian Ortega.”
A victory over fighters of that pedigree would propel Sterling further up the 145-pound ladder but he admits that after defeat he doesn’t quite get a say in who his next fight will be.
“I want to fight up,” he said. “I don’t really want to fight down, but if I have to, to prove my worth again, then it is what it is. I’m still chasing that gold. If I could get a second gold belt, man, that’s another legacy thing that people can’t take away from me.
“So, I’m chasing history at this point. Of course, the paychecks are good, but I’m not fighting just to be in there to say I’m fighting. I’m in there to beat the best guys. I’m in there to say I fought the best guys, and that’s what it’s about for the rest of my career.”
Furthermore, Sterling doesn’t believe that his route to the title would be to arduous — particularly if the champion Ilia Topuria eventually moves up to 155 as has been speculated.
“I’d say (I’m) maybe one or two fights away,” Sterling said. “So, it just really depends on the landscape, how I look in the fight, what Topuria’s going to do. If he’s going to vacate, then that puts two new challengers to fight for a vacated belt. So, it really depends.
“I don’t really know what’s going to happen in the future, but I’m patiently waiting. Hopefully, I can make my return in April. Maybe fight again in August or September, and get ready to go.”
