Aljamain Sterling already has his eyes on the UFC featherweight belt. The former bantamweight champion will take on Movsar Evloev this October at UFC 307. However, Sterling recently laid out his plans for getting a “guaranteed” title shot. Here is what happened:
Aljamain Sterling recently sat down for a conversation on ‘The MMA Hour’. During their discussion on his upcoming fight, Sterling talked about how a win against the Russian would guarantee him a title shot at the UFC featherweight championship belt.
I go out there and I finish Movsar Evloev in the first round, I’m getting a guaranteed title shot. I can’t see any other way around it, I 100% believe that.
Aljamain Sterling on The MMA Hour
He talked about how Evloev is undefeated, holding the #5 rank in the division. If he as a former champion, came up to dominate and finish Movsar Evloev, Sterling believes it would be hard to deny him as a potential contender for the title.
The fight will take place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, this October at UFC 307. Sterling is coming off a dominant unanimous decision win over Calvin Kattar in his debut fight in the division. Meanwhile, Movsar Evloev last fought Arnold Allen at UFC 297 and has won all his fights by decision.
Aljamain Sterling speaks on the new rule changes in the UFC
During his conversation on ‘The MMA Hour’, Aljamain Sterling also talked about the recent rule changes for grounded opponents in the UFC. The new rule states that a fighter shall be considered grounded and may not be legally kneed or kicked to the head when any part of their body other than their hands or feet is in contact with the canvas (ground).
This means that without their knees or elbows on the mat, a fighter may get kicked or kneed to the head and it will now be considered legal. The former champion commented that the rule change has provided more clarity on what is legal and illegal going into the fight.
I think it’s perfect. It gives us a more definitive decision on what you need to do. People play the game, they put their hand down and get mad at me because of their insecurities or lack of knowledge of what’s actually happening.
Aljamain Sterling on The MMA Hour
Sterling said that the rule change made things “clear cut”, and “super easy to define.” Now fighters cannot just have a hand on the floor. They have to make themselves a downed opponent. It will be interesting to see how this new rule change affects the performances in the octagon.
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