“Funkmaster” has a variety of considering to do.
Former Final Preventing Championship (UFC) Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling suffered a big loss at UFC 310 this previous weekend (Sat., Dec. 7, 2024) as No. 5 ranked Featherweight Movsar Evloev scored a unanimous choice from inside T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After his loss, Sterling posted about arising quick in his essential struggle on social media.
“Robust struggle…I assumed I would’ve edged it out in opposition to a tricky opponent, however we got here up quick,” Sterling wrote. “Thanks all for the love and help and I hope the efficiency was a enjoyable one for you all to observe. Movsar is a beast, I confirmed the place I belong on this division. For now, we decompress and heal up, then get able to climb the ladder once more. The dream doesn’t cease until you surrender! I’ll be again!”
Robust struggle…I assumed I would’ve edged it out in opposition to a tricky opponent, however we got here up quick. Thanks all for the love and help and I hope the efficiency was a enjoyable one for you all to observe. Movsar is a beast, I confirmed the place I belong on this division. For now, we decompress… pic.twitter.com/IGp82u9hPb
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 8, 2024
Right now (Mon., Dec. 9, 2024), two days after his struggle, Sterling took to his The Weekly Scraps Podcast to debate his loss and the uncertainty of his future.
“Once we had been within the again room, Ray [Longo] had simply stepped out, and I advised the blokes, I used to be like, ‘I’m going to allow you to guys know I don’t actually know what I’m going to do from right here. I must let it settle a bit of bit, however at 35 [years old], I don’t know if I actually need to climb the ladder once more,’” Sterling mentioned. “I don’t need to say from scratch, however the finish objective is a lot additional. I’m at some extent the place it’s, like, is that well worth the time invested for the surgical procedures, the ache, the coaching, the sacrifice? Do I nonetheless have that struggle to commit to do this all the best way up till the belt once more, realizing that there’s nonetheless an excellent likelihood, like there’s nonetheless another canines that I may probably struggle and never have the struggle go my approach.”
“Do I proceed, or do I simply assist out the blokes and assist them prepare for his or her fights and whatnot and possibly simply take enjoyable fights? I don’t know. I don’t need to retire, however I’ve obtained to see what the UFC affords after which sort of decide to go from there to see the place my place is…It’s robust to even speak like this as a result of I’m solely 35,” Sterling continued.
“I do know folks assume I nonetheless look good and all the things, however my physique hurts. I can’t prepare the best way I used to. I used to do two, three coaching classes a day, I can’t do this no extra. Even the grappling classes that I might do to make 135 lbs, I really feel like I can’t do this anymore. I can’t prepare the best way I used to and I don’t know if that gave me an edge or simply broke my physique down extra, however that’s simply the place I’m at. So I’ve simply obtained to see the place the chips fall and go from there.”
It’s no secret that the UFC CEO Dana White and Sterling have had a rocky relationship for the previous few years. So, the street again to UFC gold could possibly be lengthy and brutal; nevertheless, Sterling is an efficient sufficient fighter to battle his approach again into the dialog.
“Funkmaster” is now 1-1 in his new weight class, and we’ll greater than doubtless maintain his No. 9 rating within the Featherweight division.
If there may be one factor that Sterling proved at UFC 310, it’s that he’s for positive “a primary card fighter.”
For full UFC 310 outcomes, protection and highlights click on HERE.
