Aljamain Sterling disagrees with Anthony Smith naming fighter who could get title shot ahead of Magomed Ankalaev
Aljamain Sterling doesn't agree with Anthony Smith's opinion about the next UFC light heavyweight title shot not going to Magomed Ankalaev
On Oct. 5, Alex Pereira defended his 205-pound world title for the third time with a fourth-round knockout against Khalil Rountree Jr. The 37-year-old now plans to take a few months off after fighting four times in the last 11 months.
Later this month, No. 2-ranked Ankalaev looks to secure the next light heavyweight title shot. Most fans and analysts thought Ankalaev deserved a fight against Pereira before Rountree, but instead, matchmakers booked him to fight against No. 5-ranked Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308.
Smith recently spoke to MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn and presented the possibility of someone other than Rakic or Ankalaev facing Pereira next. Smith suggested that the winner of No. 6-ranked Volkan Oezdemir vs. No. 10-ranked Carlos Ulberg could receive the opportunity after fighting on Nov. 23.
Sterling responded to Smith's proposal by saying this on X:
"If Ankalaev wins, that would be foul af to deny him. It gets to a point where winning has to matter."
Check out Aljamain Sterling's response to Anthony Smith's comments below:
In March 2021, Carlos Ulberg lost his UFC debut against Kennedy Nzechukwu. Since then, he's rattled off six consecutive wins, five inside the distance, including a 12-second knockout against Alonzo Menifield last time out. He now looks to make a massive statement by taking out a top-ranked opponent.
As for Volkan Oezdemir, he's coming off back-to-back finishes against Bogdan Guskov (first-round submission) and Johny Walker (first-round knockout). Oezdemir plans to take another step toward a title shot against Ulberg, who's become one of the fastest-rising superstars in the division.
The UFC light heavyweight division landscape featuring Magomed Ankalaev
There's no doubt that the next light heavyweight title shot is Magomed Ankalaev's to lose. The No. 2-ranked Russian is riding an 11-fight unbeaten streak, including a second-round knockout against Johnny Walker in January.
Meanwhile, the rest of the 205-pound title picture features several former world champions - No. 1-ranked Jiri Prochazka, No. 3-ranked Jamahal Hill, and No. 4-ranked Jan Blachowicz, who are all coming off losses against Pereira.
The only other fighter arguably close to challenging Pereira is Aleksandar Rakic, who is taking on Ankalaev. Things could become more complicated if Rakic emerges victorious, as he's coming off consecutive losses inside the distance.