Aljamain Sterling is confident in his ability to neutralize Ilia Topuria‘s striking if they face each other, emphasizing a grappling strategy while acknowledging the potential conflict of loyalties with his friend Merab Dvalishvili.
Aljamain Sterling fancies his odds against Ilia Topuria. This past Saturday, Topuria defended his featherweight title for the first time, stopping former champ Max Holloway at UFC 308. Notably, Topuria became the first to finish Holloway with strikes. Earlier this year, he delivered a knockout punch to Alexander Volkanovski in the second round. “El Matador” is now one of the most lethal strikers in the game, even impressing potential future opponents.
“I ain’t standing with that guy. I would never stand and trade with that guy!” Sterling exclaimed on his YouTube channel. He chuckled at comments suggesting he change weight classes, joking about returning to 135 pounds. “I’ll point to the ground but I’ll do my running man dance instead,” he quipped.
Jokes aside, Sterling might soon face Topuria. Volkanovski seems next in line for Topuria, with Diego Lopes waiting, but Sterling’s upcoming bout with Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 could shake things up. If victorious, “The Funkmaster” feels confident against Topuria.
“If I were to fight him, God willing, I beat Movsar and get the crack, I think my style can neutralize his offense,” Sterling said. “Bro, most guys strike with him. I ain’t doing that! We’re looking for a takedown. It’s gotta be a grappling match. I’m going for the W—I’m not risking my brain getting sent to another dimension again.”
Sterling lost his UFC bantamweight title when Sean O’Malley knocked him out last year at UFC 292. Post-defeat, he moved up to featherweight and triumphed over Calvin Kattar in his debut there.
After leaving bantamweight, Merab Dvalishvili, his friend and teammate, dethroned O’Malley to become the 135-pound champion. For Sterling, a downside to facing Topuria is making Merab choose sides.
“Merab and I are boys. Merab is also boys with Ilia, so I don’t know what that turns into,” Sterling mused. “Thankfully I don’t have to worry about that anytime soon. I’ve got one tough opponent ahead before we see what happens.”
UFC 310 kicks off on Dec. 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.