Aljamain Sterling Commits To The UFC

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (26-5) has signed a new multi-fight contract with the UFC, expressing his intention to finish his career with the promotion.

The news comes after Sterling’s win at UFC Vegas 116 last weekend, where he secured a unanimous decision victory over Youssef Zalal. Sterling’s transition to the featherweight division in 2024 has worked, as he is now 3-1 in his new weight class after wins over Brian Ortega, Calvin Kattar, and now Zalal. His only blemish at 145 lbs remains a 2024 loss to Movsar Evloev. Sterling is now 4th in the featherweight rankings as he called out the champion Alexander Volkanovski. The new UFC deal could see Sterling end his career as a two-weight champion if the fight results play out how he wants.

“I got a new deal with the company so I’m super happy about that. It was odd because I thought I had two fights, and when he called me, that was the odd part because I was like ‘Why is Hunter calling me? Did I do something wrong? Did I say something that is going to come back to bite me in the a** right now?’

“We talked and we had good conversation, and the main thing to take away from the conversation was if I want to be here or not. I told him like ‘Yeah dude,’ like I don’t know how it might come off and perceive to you but he kind of felt like maybe I didn’t. But I said no, this is–I would hope to retire with the company,” Sterling said