By Fernando Quiles
– February 4, 2024
Aljamain Sterling feels the shackles are off now that he has moved on from the bantamweight division.
Sterling had been an elite bantamweight, capturing UFC gold in the division and defeating the likes of Henry Cejudo. His run came to a halt last year when Sean O’Malley scored a TKO victory over him in the second round at UFC 292. Once it became clear that he wasn’t getting an immediate rematch, Sterling made the move to the featherweight division. He’ll be facing top contender Calvin Kattar at the historic UFC 300 event on April 13.
It’s safe to say the “Funk Master” is relieved.
RELATED: ALJAMAIN STERLING SHUTS DOWN TALK OF HAVING FUTURE UFC FIGHTS AT BANTAMWEIGHT: “THERE’S NO MORE 135”
Aljamain Sterling Feels Best Yet To Come Thanks To Featherweight Move
With Aljamain Sterling officially done with 135 pounds, he believes that his best performances are now ahead. He told Ariel Helwani on MMAFighting‘s “The MMA Hour” that he feels right where he belongs at featherweight.
“Just the thought of it gives me a headache and makes me nauseous,” Sterling said on The MMA Hour. “Like, people tell me I wear it well and I don’t look like I’m hurting, ‘Oh, you had such a great weight cut.’ I’m like, I am literally dying inside. I could poker face it all I want, because mentally, that’s just the way I’ve always been. It’s like, you don’t show weakness in that way. You always try to show people that you’re good even when you’re not.
“But I know I’ve been hurting for a very, very long time. And I even think my past performances have kind of not been the best of me because of that. I just think I lose a little bit of myself and leave a little bit of myself in the gym. Cardio-wise, I don’t have the same output as I used to. And I’m kind of excited to just see what that’s going to look like at ‘45 and see if I can get back to that — that guy who’s in between rounds and is able to talk to the fans and yell to the crowd, and just show I’m full of energy and I’m ready to go.”
