Sterling has long had issues with the UFC brass. When he was the reigning bantamweight champion, White told reporters that “Funk Master” can’t get out of the way. Sterling has discussed the issue with UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell during fight negotiations, but it doesn’t appear the tension has gone away.
During an interview with MMAFighting.comSterling was adamant about earning a title shot at 145 pounds or getting a No. 1 contender. Sterling believes he is often paired with opponents that UFC matchmakers believe have a good chance of beating him.
“I don’t know what else to do,” Sterling said. “If you want to give me Yair Rodriguez, I will fight him. If you want to give me Jean Silva, I will fight him. If you want to give me Youssef Zalal, I will fight him. I have never turned anyone down. These guys have asked me for opponents to fight, and then they give me someone who wants the complete opposite because they want to see me lose.”
“That’s my perspective. It might be different for them, but my perspective is: You ask me who I want to fight, I give you a name, a stylistically good match for myself, you give me someone else, what does that tell me? Oh, maybe I’m not the man for the spot, but I’m going to keep proving them wrong. Give me a damn title shot and I’m going to prove them wrong again.”
Sterling hasn’t been seen in the Octagon since August 2025. He defeated Brian Ortega by unanimous decision. The win moved “Funk Master” to 2-2 in his last four appearances.
Do you agree with Aljamain Sterling or do you think he is not doing himself any favors? Have your say in the comments below.
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