Former UFC bantamweight kingpin Aljamain Sterling has a daring name to all high featherweight contenders. Sterling final fought Brian Ortega in August 2025, successful by unanimous choice.
“The Funk Grasp” is at present ranked No. 5 on the 145-pound checklist and is hungry to return contained in the Octagon in 2026. Beforehand, he had expressed a want to battle for the title after defeating Ortega.
“I got here to featherweight and I feel I did what I needed to do towards a extremely robust man who fought for the belt twice. I respect him. Volkanovski is an asshole, however I would like the prospect to battle for the belt once more.”
See Aljamain Sterling’s remark beneath (2:14):
Supervisor Aljamain Sterling at present calls up Lerone Murphy, Yair Rodriguez and Mohsar Evloev. Throughout a dialog with Jake Knocker, the 36-year-old mentioned:
“Lerone Murphy, I am prepared for you! Come to your hometown in February or March. Carry the warmth, I am prepared. Yair Rodriguez, I am prepared! Movsar Evloev, I win that battle.” I am able to do all of the harassment. Inform Dana White to get you guys prepared. If you wish to go to the White Home, I am right here to make a hell of some huge cash.”
Try Aljamain Sterling’s feedback beneath.
Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy had been anticipated to be subsequent in line for the title. Nevertheless, the promotion selected Diego Lopez to face two-time and present UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski in a rematch.
In the meantime, “The Nice” is asking Murphy and Evloev to remain busy combating one another, as a title battle is coming in the end.
Aljamain Sterling defends former UFC featherweight champion
Former UFC featherweight and present light-weight champion Ilya Topria’s accomplishments had been lately known as into query by a fan who known as Topria “the nice senior hunter OAT.” A fan posted:
Ilya Topuria’s accomplishments are loopy 🔥🔥 – Josh Emmett at 40 (choice) – 35 and lately KO’d Volk – Depleted Max Holloway (40 at combating age) – Wash Charles at 36 (virtually misplaced to Chandler) – Justin Gaethje at 37 (most likely) Nice senior hunter OAT⁉️⁉️
Mr. Topuria has put in numerous effort, and Mr. Sterling doesn’t suppose Mr. Topuria has achieved sufficient. Subsequently, “Funk Grasp” applauded the followers’ perspective, writing:
“What else is he going to do? Ask for the man who simply got here from DWCS? (LOL)”
Try the change beneath.
Topuria grew to become the UFC Featherweight Champion in 2024 by KOing ‘The Nice’ earlier than ‘El Matador’ defended his strap by KOing Max Holloway.
In 2025, Topuria vacated the 145-pound championship and moved as much as 155 kilos. El Matador and Charles Oliveira battled for the vacant light-weight title at UFC 317, with Topuria predictably knocking the Brazilian down within the first spherical.
