When the UFC returned to Boston for the seventh time at TD Garden, Aljamain Sterling was a champion. Much has changed since then, with him losing his strap and moving to featherweight limits. However, through thick and thin, Aljo and his mettle have been undeniable. Yet, CEO Dana White and the ESPN fight broadcast lineup are now under direct fire for his low-bar card placement yet again at UFC 307.
Sterling scraps with Movsar Evloev on the penultimate fight of late prelims (ESPN+) at UFC 307. The welterweight strike-fest between Joaquin Buckley and Stephen Thompson initially had a prelims spot. Meanwhile, Aljamain Sterling was to fight in the third-last bout of the main card. Former title challenger โWonderboyโ and rising star โNew Mansaโ have now moved on to the main card.
The card is subject to change; for now, though, ESPNโs homepage lists Sterling way down the order. This isnโt the first time it has happened, either. Sterling was bumped down to this same spot in Aprilโs milestone UFC 300 PPV card. This was in favor of a prime Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage main card slot. โFunk Masterโ was also in the same spot again versus Pedro Munhoz at UFC 238 in 2019.
#UFC307 (current bout order per ESPN)
Few notes:
โ Last two fights are not added yet to ESPN so those are randomly placed.
โ Don’t know if the card is complete atm or they will add more fight(s). pic.twitter.com/Ep7H7MfkG5โ Marcel Dorff ๐ณ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ฉ (@BigMarcel24) September 9, 2024
Sterling and his long tale of scrubbing from the grub has been vicious. The reality TVย Rokuโsย Fight Inc: Inside the UFC went viral when it came to be that Aljo was almost coerced into fighting. He has also faced critical input for not wanting to fight sparring mate Merab Dvalishvili while he was still the bantamweight titleholder. Now, Sterlingโs current misfortunes have become a topic of discussion online.
Fans react to Aljamain Sterling on the prelims again
The Pay-per-view card main slot, starting at 10 p.m. ET in Boston, Massachusetts, at UFC 292, was the last time Aljamain Sterling was on the forefront. The 35-year-old sometimes faces some flak for his grappling-heavy style and not looking for finishes. Nevertheless, โFunk Masterโ does not go into controversy and has been a company man throughout.
Fans react to grappling standout and former champ Aljamain Sterlingโs โFunkโ disrespect (Source: boxemag.com)Sterlingโs three consecutive UFC bantamweight title defenses are the most in divisional history. Sterling has logged a total fight time of 3:55:40 in UFC bantamweight competition, with the second-most bantamweight title fights. His 14 victories are also the most in the 135-pound mark.
Even at 145 pounds, he made a remarkable debut. Yet UFC 307 PPV from Salt Lake City, Utah, finds him on the prelim slots again. Here are a few top reactions to that.
the pretend shock everytime Aljos on the prelims is getting old
โ Mameron๐ (@MameronCagee266) September 9, 2024
Feel like Sterling and Wonderboy fight should be swapped. Sterling Evloev is a possible title eliminator and burying it on the prelims feels disrespectful to both. Maybe have Holland as the 7th bout and Wonderboy and featured prelim? Also swap Poteiria fight and OSP 100%
โ Aiden Boyer (@AidenBoyerMMA) September 9, 2024
Aljo on the prelims.. again.. what the fuck
โ โข ๐๐๐ช ๐๐ (@Diamond_Jay_) September 9, 2024
another pretty horrible ppv
โ geeked up playin xbox (@fivefootse7en) September 9, 2024
With how much Sterling has been squabbling with Evloev, people hold high anticipation for what could possibly be a gradual title eliminator. Some have even wanted them to swap spots with No. 2 and No. 3 womenโs bantamweight scrap. Ketlen Vieira meets Kayla Harrison in what could actually be another title eliminator.
With a suspended Khalil Rountree Jr. facing the champ out of the blue, a womenโs title header infamous for slow running, and other such matches, fans have also billed this as one of the most important scraps. However, a prime reaction (@MameronCagee266) delivers the hard dose of truth, saying, โThe pretend shock every time Aljos on the prelims is getting old.โ All in all, fans have labeled this as disrespectful.
