Aljamain Sterling's Featherweight Aspirations
In an unexpected twist within the mixed martial arts community, former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has announced a significant career move. The fighter revealed his intention to transition to the featherweight division during a conversation on the Mighty Podcast, hosted by none other than MMA legend Demetrious Johnson.
Sterling, who has previously competed at a walking weight as high as 180 pounds outside of his fighting career, currently maintains a healthy physique at around 170-171 pounds. This weight, he asserts, is well-suited for him, evidenced by his maintained physical fitness and visible abdominal muscles. His decision comes after a notable loss of the bantamweight title to Sean O'Malley at UFC 292, which concluded his impressive nine-fight winning streak that included three title defenses.
The former champion's move to featherweight is not without its calculations. Sterling has evaluated his current standing and found himself to be 26.7 percent heavier than the average competitor in the bantamweight class—a statistic that would seemingly justify his shift in weight class. Despite this, Sterling has consistently made the required weight for his fights, a testament to his discipline and determination.
With ambitions to face top contenders in the featherweight division, such as Alexander Volkanovski, Sterling is eyeing a debut against Max Holloway. A victory over Holloway could catapult Sterling into significant contention within the featherweight ranks. However, not everyone agrees with Sterling's strategic move; Daniel Cormier, a former two-division UFC champion, has voiced his opinion that Sterling should remain at 135 pounds. Cormier suggests that fighters often switch weight classes when they encounter challenges or struggle to find success, implying that Sterling's best chance lies within the bantamweight division.
Sterling's history in the featherweight category is brief but victorious; he fought once at this weight class early in his career, securing a TKO win at Cage Fury FC 10 back in 2011. Standing at 5'7", Sterling would be among the smaller competitors in the UFC featherweight division, yet his previous accomplishments suggest that size may not be a limiting factor for his performance.
Perspectives on Sterling's Division Change
Aljamain Sterling himself remains confident in his decision, reflecting on his career thus far: "I've been 180, a little heavier than 180. It's not a good, healthy 180, but I could get up there," Sterling said, acknowledging the toll his previous weight cuts have taken. He further elaborated on his current condition, "I feel good fight 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 (135) and I don't know how I've made it for so long."
Despite the physical challenge, Sterling has shown resilience in adhering to the rigorous demands of weight management. "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 stated, emphasizing his capability to meet the necessary benchmarks despite the disparity.
Sterling also addressed the skeptics and critics of his weight-cutting process, saying, "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 track record supports this claim, demonstrating a consistent ability to compete at a high level regardless of the weight class constraints.
As for his future plans, Sterling hinted at potential timelines for his featherweight debut. "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," he suggested, indicating a possible return to the octagon in a new weight class and renewed vigor.
Cormier, however, maintains a cautious stance on the matter. "I think he should stay at 135," he advised, adding, "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." Cormier's perspective highlights the competitive nature of weight divisions and the strategic considerations fighters must weigh.
Reflecting on his extensive experience and past successes, Sterling remains undeterred. "I've always