Aljamain Sterling set to enter ‘The Pit’ in July to fine-tune his grappling ahead of soon-to-be-announced UFC clash against Movsar Evloev
Aljamain Sterling will compete in a submission grappling event on July 25th, hoping to keep his grappling skills sharp ahead of a possible Movsar Evloev clash. 'Funk Master' stated that he was pushing for a bout with the featherweight contender, one of the division's best wrestlers.
Evloev has used his grappling prowess to go 8-0 in the UFC since his promotional debut in 2019 and is currently ranked at No.5 in the division.
Sterling moved to featherweight following his defeat to Sean O'Malley for the bantamweight title at UFC 292. But he is hungry for more gold, and a victory over Evloev will do wonders for his title hopes.
Before a potential clash with the Russian at UFC Paris in September, 'Funk Master' will take on Bellator MMA lightweight Jay-Jay Wilson at Pit Submission Series 7, hosted by Karate Combat.
Sterling took to X to react to his official participation and wrote this:
"Looking forward to the challenge! Let's get it!
See the post below:
The former bantamweight king also took to X to share his hopes of organizing a bout with Evloev, writing this:
"I'm trying to fight Movsar at UFC Paris but we're having trouble pulling this off..."
See Aljamain Sterling's post below:
Aljamain Sterling has eyes on Brian Ortega should a clash with Movsar Evloev not happen
Aljamain Sterling is not fixated on fighting a specific opponent next and will accept a clash with the highest-ranked featherweight possible when he returns. 'Funk Master' had a successful 145-pound debut against Calvin Kattar at UFC 300 and currently occupies the No.8 ranking.
It seems that the former champion wants the quickest possible route to a featherweight title shot, as he recently revealed he asked for a fight with former title challenger Brian Ortega.
Alongside Ortega, Sterling stated that he asked for fights with both Movsar Evloev and Diego Lopes.
When Lopes shared his thoughts on a "nonsensical" bout with 'Funk Master', the former champion took to X to respond to the surging contender, writing this:
"Makes sense. Which is why I also asked for Ortega. But I'll take the next highest ranked guy, but with proper time to prepare. No excuses and let the better man win."
See Aljamain Sterling's post below: