Aljamain Sterling explains why he’s likely done with bantamweight after UFC 292

Sterling gives the word on why he's likely done with bantamweight soon.

Last updated on August 14th, 2023

UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling has revealed why he’ll likely say his goodbyes to the 135-pound division after UFC 292.

Sterling will be putting his 135-pound gold on the line against Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 292 on August 19. The “Funk Master” has long teased a move up to the featherweight division in order to give his teammate, Merab Dvalishvili a chance at the gold. He has another key reason for wanting to ditch the weight class.

Aljamain Sterling Talks Moving Up Following UFC 292

During fight week, Aljamain Sterling has been making the media rounds. He appeared on “The MMA Hour,” and explained to Ariel Helwani why a change in weight class is likely in the cards after his fight with “Sugar.”

Aljamain Sterling says there's a 99% chance his fight with O'Malley is his last at 135lbs.
#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/95YesRzHlq

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) August 14, 2023

“There is a 99 percent chance this is my last fight at ‘135,” Sterling said. “I win this for sure, I’m out of here, come on. It’s Merab’s time, man, and the second part of that is I’m a little bit over cutting this much weight. I walk around ’65, ’70. I think I can hold that frame relatively better. I think my conditioning and everything could actually go up a little bit more, back to when I was younger where I was cutting less and I could do it in a week, and cut 20, 25 pounds and I would just compete like an animal, energizer bunny for days. Now, I kind of feel like I’m slowing down a little bit, and that comes with age.”

Bet With Sean O’Malley

Sterling recently posted a video on his YouTube channel and in the clip, a $100 bet was made between him and O’Malley. The bet was whoever scores the first takedown gets $100 from his opponent. Sterling then claimed to Helwani that he thinks the bet was actually whoever shoots first has to pay $100.

“I do think when I pressure him he might panic shoot,” Sterling said. “He might be the one panic shooting because he might be worried I’m gonna take him down, or this could be a little trickery. You never know.”