Aljamain Sterling likes his probabilities towards Ilia Topuria.
This previous Saturday, Topuria secured the primary protection of his featherweight title, stopping former champion Max Holloway in the principle occasion of UFC 308. Topuria is now the primary individual to complete Holloway with strikes and given his second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski earlier this 12 months, “El Matador” has established himself as some of the devastating strikers within the sport at present, a lot in order that even his doable future opponent was impressed.
“I ain’t standing with that man. I’d by no means stand and commerce with that man!” Sterling stated on his YouTube channel. “I noticed feedback from the response, ‘It’s best to change weight courses.’ I believed that was so humorous… I made a joke, ‘I wish to return to 135.’ [Laughs] …
“I’ll level to the bottom however I’ll do my operating man dance as a substitute.”
All kidding apart, Sterling might quickly be ready to face Topuria.
Volkanovski seems to be subsequent up for Topuria, with Diego Lopes ready within the wings, however the former bantamweight champion faces Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 and the winner may be within the combine for a shot on the champion. And may that occur, “The Funkmaster” believes he can provide Topuria a run for his cash.
“If I had been to combat him, god prepared, I beat Movsar and I do get the crack, I do assume I’ve an excellent model to neutralize his offense,” Sterling stated. “Bro, most of those guys are putting with him. I ain’t doing that, bro! I ain’t doing that. We’re sitting there on the lookout for a takedown. I’ve to make it a grappling match. I’m making an attempt to the the W, I’m not making an attempt to get my mind and my head despatched to the subsequent dimension once more. I’m cool on that.”
Sterling notably misplaced his UFC bantamweight when he was knocked out by Sean O’Malley final 12 months at UFC 292. Following that loss, Sterling moved as much as featherweight the place he defeated Calvin Kattar in his debut.
After he left bantamweight, his longtime buddy and teammate Merab Dvalishvili dethroned O’Malley to change into the 135-pound champion. And for Sterling, that may be the one draw back to a matchup with Topuria: making Merab select sides.
“Merab and I are boys. Merab can be boys with Ilia, so I don’t know what that turns into,” Sterling stated. “… Fortunately I don’t have to fret about that anytime quickly. I’ve obtained one different robust opponent in entrance of me after which we type of go from there.”
UFC 310 takes place on on Dec. 7 at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas.
