Aljamain Sterling is not holding back following his UFC 280 win over TJ Dillashaw.
The belt is still with Aljamain Sterling following his UFC 280 win over former champion TJ Dillashaw. Leading up to the fight, Sterling was hearing a chorus of doubt from the fans. He is the undisputed champion but for some reason, he gets hate from the trolls on social media. The fight against Dillashaw was his opportunity to shut down the haters and prove that he is the best fighter at 135 pounds, unfortunately, the way the fight ended has still left some doubt.
Sterling went out on Saturday in Abu Dhabi and put on a stellar performance against Dillashaw. Throughout the fight, it appeared that Dillashaw was battling a shoulder injury and kept dislocating his shoulder. Following the bout, it was announced that he had been dealing with that issue all through training camp. This tidbit has been used by some to discredit Sterling’s win, but he is not letting those harmful thoughts get to him. Instead, he is congratulating his opponent for a hard-fought fight.
“TJ came to the fight, no quit, didn’t tap out, could have bowed out, took his check and went home. He took his ass whooping like a man.” he said on The MMA Hour. “I even told Mark Goddard in the back room I said, bro, I talked a lot of sh-t coming into this fight. So if it’s looking bad for me, and I’m trying to stay in the fight, let me fight and go out on my shield, please. Because at the end of the day, I want to take my ass whooping like a man. I’m not looking for an easy way out.”
Aljamain Sterling feels the UFC is trying to get rid of him by offering up Henry Cejudo
Now that Sterling has gotten past Dillashaw, the question remains who will be next? Prior to the event, it seemed that the winner of the fight between Sean O’Malley and Petr Yan would get the next shot, now Dana White is bringing Henry Cejudo into the picture. Sterling feels that the UFC is looking for any possible opportunity to get him out.
“You go on record, you say whoever wins this fight is clearly getting the number one shot, because it makes sense, right? After the fight, everything completely changes and they throw Henry Cejudo into the mix. And I’m just completely confused,” he said. “I almost feel and I could be completely wrong, I almost feel like they’re looking for a last hope of someone who could take out Aljamain Sterling.”
Sterling has now successfully defended his title twice and has not lost a bout in four years. He reiterated that he is ready to take on any opponent the UFC sends his way whether that be O’Malley, Marlon Vera, Henry Cejudo or anyone else.
