Aljamain Sterling will no longer be competing at UFC 307.
The ‘Funk Master’ was scheduled to square off with undefeated Russian standout Movsar Evloev on October 5 when the promotion heads back to The Crossroads of the West—Salt Lake City. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case after the former bantamweight champion revealed that he sustained an injury while sparring that is forcing him to bow out of the bout.
“Unfortunately I have to break the news I will not be competing in Salt Lake City at UFC 307,” Sterling said on his YouTube channel. “In sparring, I had an injury, not requiring surgery, but I was advised by the UFC medical staff that I will not be able to properly compete in this short of a turnaround.”
I believe God has a plan and is protecting me to give my best for @MovsarUFC. I need all my tools for an opponent like Movsar and hopefully he’s willing to fight me when I’m healed up. Thank you to the @UFC medical team for looking out for my health and protecting me from myself.… pic.twitter.com/9nJVf14mew
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 18, 2024
Aljamain Sterling Issues Apology to Movsar Evloev
In a video clip provided by Sterling, the injury appeared to occur when his sparring partner, Jeremy Kennedy, appeared to tweak his arm with a kimura attempt from the bottom.
It’s uncertain if Evloev will be removed from the card or if the promotion will seek a replacement opponent for him.
“I apologize to Movsar and his team because, of course, we’ve both been talking, and I was really looking forward to punching this guy in his face,” Sterling added. “So, Movsar, if you still really want to punch this handsome face, I put the challenge out to you to push the fight back and wait for Daddy. I will be back soon. We could possibly do this in December.”
With Aljamain Sterling officially out of UFC 307, here is the current updated card:
Main Card
- Alex Pereira(c) vs. Khalil Rountree – UFC light heavyweight championship
- Raquel Pennington(c) vs. Julianna Peña – UFC women’s bantamweight championship
- Kayla Harrison vs. Ketlen Vieira
- Movsar Evloev vs. TBA
- Jose Aldo vs. Mario Bautista
- Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland
Prelims
- Joaquin Buckley vs. Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson
- Iasmin Lucindo vs. Marina Rodriguez
- Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Pennington
- Cesar Almeida vs. Ihor Potieira
- Ovince Saint Preux vs. Ryan Spann
- Court McGee vs. Tim Means
Watch Sterling’s full announcement below:
