Aljamain Sterling likes his probabilities towards Ilia Topuria.
This previous Saturday, Topuria secured the primary protection of his featherweight title, stopping former champion Max Holloway in the principle occasion of UFC 308. Topuria is now the primary individual to complete Holloway with strikes and given his second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski earlier this 12 months, “El Matador” has established himself as one of the vital devastating strikers within the sport presently, a lot in order that even his attainable future opponent was impressed.
“I ain’t standing with that man. I might by no means stand and commerce with that man!” Sterling mentioned on his YouTube channel. “I noticed feedback from the response, ‘It’s best to change weight courses.’ I assumed that was so humorous… I made a joke, ‘I need to return to 135.’ [Laughs] …
“I’ll level to the bottom however I’ll do my working man dance as a substitute.”
All kidding apart, Sterling could quickly be able to face Topuria.
Volkanovski seems to be subsequent up for Topuria, with Diego Lopes ready within the wings, however the former bantamweight champion faces Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 and the winner is also within the combine for a shot on the champion. And may that occur, “The Funkmaster” believes he can provide Topuria a run for his cash.
“If I had been to struggle him, god keen, I beat Movsar and I do get the crack, I do assume I’ve an incredible type to neutralize his offense,” Sterling mentioned. “Bro, most of those guys are hanging with him. I ain’t doing that, bro! I ain’t doing that. We’re sitting there searching for a takedown. I’ve to make it a grappling match. I’m making an attempt to the the W, I’m not making an attempt to get my mind and my head despatched to the subsequent dimension once more. I’m cool on that.”
Sterling notably misplaced his UFC bantamweight when he was knocked out by Sean O’Malley final 12 months at UFC 292. Following that loss, Sterling moved as much as featherweight the place he defeated Calvin Kattar in his debut.
After he left bantamweight, his longtime buddy and teammate Merab Dvalishvili dethroned O’Malley to turn out to be the 135-pound champion. And for Sterling, that is perhaps the one draw back to a matchup with Topuria: making Merab select sides.
“Merab and I are boys. Merab can also be boys with Ilia, so I don’t know what that turns into,” Sterling mentioned. “… Fortunately I don’t have to fret about that anytime quickly. I’ve acquired one different robust opponent in entrance of me after which we type of go from there.”
UFC 310 takes place on on Dec. 7 at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.
