Aljamain Sterling has laid out his roadmap to the UFC featherweight title, issuing daring callouts to the division’s prime contenders following his profitable divisional debut. The previous bantamweight champion, who earned a unanimous choice win over Brian Ortega in August, is ranked No. 5 and is focusing on a championship alternative in 2026.
In a sequence of interviews, Sterling has named Lerone Murphy, Yair Rodriguez, and Movsar Evloev as his most popular subsequent opponents. His aggressive campaigning alerts a transparent intent to skip the queue within the crowded 145-pound division and fast-track himself in the direction of a shot on the gold.
Strategic Callouts: Concentrating on the Rankings
Sterling’s callouts are a calculated try and safe the highest-impact struggle obtainable. He has proven specific curiosity in a bout with Britain’s Lerone Murphy, even suggesting a struggle in Murphy’s hometown to facilitate the matchup. A victory over the highly-ranked Murphy would supply a robust argument for a title eliminator bout.
Not limiting his choices, Sterling has additionally expressed willingness to face the explosive hanging of former interim champion Yair Rodriguez or the grinding, undefeated wrestling of Movsar Evloev. This “anybody, anytime” method is designed to strain the UFC matchmakers into reserving him towards a top-tier title, retaining his momentum alive after the Ortega win.
Navigating the Featherweight Panorama
The featherweight title image is presently in a state of flux. Whereas Alexander Volkanovski stays a dominant champion, the subsequent challenger just isn’t clearly outlined. Sterling’s transfer to featherweight provides a serious new participant to the combination—a former champion with elite grappling and confirmed championship expertise.
Sterling has additionally weighed in on discussions round divisional legacy, lately defending former champion Ilia Topuria towards critics. This engagement reveals he isn’t just targeted on preventing however can be inserting himself into the broader narrative of the load class, positioning himself as a central determine in its future.
What’s Subsequent for the Funk Grasp?
For Aljamain Sterling, the aim is unequivocal: a title shot in 2026. To get there, he wants yet another signature victory towards a top-five opponent. The UFC now faces an attention-grabbing choice—whether or not to ebook him towards the surging Murphy, the damaging Rodriguez, or the technical Evloev.
Whichever course the promotion chooses, Sterling has made it clear he’s prepared. His profitable debut at featherweight has revitalised his profession, and his assertive callouts display he intends to be a serious drive within the division for the foreseeable future.
Regularly Requested Questions
Who did Aljamain Sterling name out after his featherweight win?Sterling has referred to as out Lerone Murphy, Yair Rodriguez, and Movsar Evloev as potential subsequent opponents as he seeks a quick observe to the featherweight title.
What’s Aljamain Sterling’s present UFC rating?Following his victory over Brian Ortega, Aljamain Sterling is ranked No. 5 within the official UFC featherweight rankings.
When does Aljamain Sterling wish to struggle for the title?Sterling has said his ambition to problem for the UFC featherweight championship in 2026, contingent on securing one other high-profile win.
How did Sterling carry out in his featherweight debut?He received a transparent unanimous choice towards former title challenger Brian Ortega in August 2025, efficiently saying his arrival within the new weight class.
Why is a struggle with Lerone Murphy vital?A struggle with Lerone Murphy is important as Murphy is a highly-ranked contender. A victory for Sterling would strongly bolster his case for a title shot, probably forward of different established contenders.
