A New Challenge: Aljamain Sterling Sets His Sights on Featherweight Division
In a surprising turn of events, former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has announced his decision to move up a weight class and compete in the featherweight division. The news broke during his appearance on the Mighty Podcast with host Demetrious Johnson, where Sterling detailed his future plans within the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Sterling, who has previously competed as heavy as 180 pounds outside of competition, currently maintains a healthy weight of around 170-171 pounds. This physical condition is something he takes pride in, emphasizing his fitness by pointing out his well-maintained physique and visible abdominals. Despite this, he's known for cutting down to make the 135-pound limit of the bantamweight class—a process he admits has never been easy.
"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 strain such weight fluctuations can have on an athlete's body. "I feel good fighting where I'm at right now, I'm about 170, 171, and that's a good, healthy weight for me. I'm not fat. I've got some abs going. I don't know how I've ever made it [to 135], and I don't know how I've made it for so long."
The decision comes after a setback in Sterling's career, losing the bantamweight title to Sean O'Malley at UFC 292. Prior to this loss, Sterling enjoyed a nine-fight winning streak, successfully defending his title three times. Despite the recent defeat, Sterling remains confident in his abilities, having once fought at featherweight early in his career at Cage Fury FC 10 in 2011, securing a win via TKO.
His ambition within the featherweight ranks is clear, as Sterling expresses a desire to contend with top fighters like Alexander Volkanovski. Moreover, he has plans to make a statement by facing off against Max Holloway in his debut match in the new division. A victory over Holloway would undoubtedly establish him as a formidable contender at 145 pounds.
However, not everyone agrees with Sterling's decision to change divisions. Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier has voiced his opinion, suggesting Sterling should remain at bantamweight. Cormier reasons that athletes typically shift weight classes in search of easier paths to success or when they encounter insurmountable challenges.
"I think he should stay at 135," Cormier stated. "Those guys are big. He's a bit of a tweener... is too big. He has a good chance at winning enough fights to work his way back to a title fight. He has a better chance at 135 when he's undeniable again."
Despite Cormier's concerns, Sterling remains undeterred, drawing from his experience in wrestling and mixed martial arts as proof of his adaptability and determination. "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," said Sterling, reflecting on his past successes and rigorous weight management regimen.
One of the more startling revelations from Sterling's announcement is the significant weight disparity he has faced while competing in the bantamweight division. According to his own testing, he is 26.7 percent over the weight class limit compared to other bantamweights, a testament to the extreme measures he has taken to make weight. "I did the testing and my numbers came back that I'm 26.7 percent over the weight class limit in comparison with all the other bantamweights. I make the weight," he explained, underlining the difficulty of his previous weight cuts.
At 5'7", Sterling will be one of the smaller competitors within the featherweight category, yet his skill set and previous performances suggest that size may not impede his pursuit of featherweight gold. With his sights set on returning to action, possibly at a landmark event like UFC 300 or in March, Sterling is eager to embark on this new chapter of his career.
"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," Sterling speculated on the timing of his featherweight debut.
As the MMA community watches closely, Aljamain Sterling's journey to reinvent himself at featherweight promises to add an intriguing narrative to the sport. Whether this move will lead to a resurgence