UFC London may be just around the corner, but for former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, the event is more than just a spectator sport. As the highly anticipated matchup between Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy looms, Sterling sees an opportunity not just in the fight itself, but in the bigger picture of Evloev’s career. In fact, he has even offered to step in as a backup for the event.
Sterling, also known as ‘The Funkmaster’, has been keeping a close eye on the featherweight division and sees Evloev as a potential title contender. With the Russian fighter set to face off against Murphy, who is riding a six-fight win streak, Sterling believes that this could be a title eliminator bout.
But it’s not just the matchup that has caught Sterling’s attention. He has also taken note of the logistics surrounding Evloev’s career. The undefeated fighter has been making waves in the featherweight division, quietly building momentum and catching the attention of top contenders.
Sterling, who is currently on a five-fight win streak himself, understands the importance of seizing opportunities in the UFC. After all, it was his impressive performances that led him to become the bantamweight champion in 2020. And now, he sees a similar path for Evloev.
The Funkmaster has even gone as far as offering to be a backup for the upcoming fight between Evloev and Murphy. This is not only a show of support for his fellow fighter, but also a strategic move to keep himself in the mix for a potential title shot.
In a recent interview, Sterling expressed his thoughts on the matchup and his offer to be a backup. He said, “I think it’s a great fight. I think it’s a great matchup. I think it’s a fight that can potentially be a title eliminator. I think [Evloev] is a guy that has a lot of potential, a lot of upside. He’s undefeated, he’s got a great grappling background, he’s got a great striking background.”
Sterling went on to add, “I think it’s a great opportunity for him, and I think it’s a great opportunity for me to potentially be a backup for that fight and potentially get a title shot if something happens. I think it’s a win-win for everybody.”
The former bantamweight champion’s offer is not only a testament to his confidence in Evloev’s abilities, but also a display of his own determination to get back into title contention. Sterling’s last fight was a controversial loss to current bantamweight champion Petr Yan, and he is eager to get back in the Octagon and prove himself once again.
As for Evloev, this is a chance for him to make a statement and solidify his place in the featherweight division. With a win over Murphy, he would undoubtedly be one step closer to a title shot. And having someone like Sterling as a backup only adds more hype and anticipation to the fight.
It’s clear that Sterling sees the bigger picture and is not afraid to take risks to further his career. His offer to be a backup for the Evloev-Murphy fight is a bold move, but one that could potentially pay off in a big way.
UFC London is shaping up to be an exciting event, and with fighters like Aljamain Sterling keeping a close eye on the matchups, it’s bound to be a night full of surprises. Whether or not Sterling gets the opportunity to step in as a backup, one thing is for sure – he will continue to make his presence known in the featherweight division and work towards reclaiming his title.
