UFC prospect backs Aljamain Sterling amid "cheating" claims
Aljamain Sterling has Javid Basharat's backing after the bantamweight champion recently came under fire for his massive weight cut before fights. Marlon Vera recently accused Sterling of cheating by cutting excessive body mass before his weigh-ins, claiming that 'Funk Master' cuts down to 135 lbs from 170-180 lbs.
'Chito' was referring to when fighters sometimes cut significant amounts of body mass in order to face lighter or smaller opponents. They then rehydrated themselves within 24 hours after weigh-ins to step into the octagon while significantly exceeding the weight limit of their division.
However, Basharat does not seem to think so and sees no problem with it as long as the fighters make weight on the official scales.
In a recent interview with Jesse Rowe from InsideFighting, 'The Snow Leopard' was asked for his take on Aljamain Sterling and the weight cut issue. He replied:
"Well, they're making the weight. They're making the weight. Then why is that an issue, you know?... I don't know why all these guys are complaining. I think they're just running out of things to hate on with Aljamain... They're just picking at his weight or whatever, but the weight cut has been a part of this sport since day one..."
Watch the full video below:
Aljamain Sterling responds to Marlon Vera's comments about weight cuts
The issue of weight cutting continues to be a hot topic of discussion in the mixed martial arts community. Aljamain Sterling recently fired back at Marlon Vera for the latter's comments about his weight cuts and how they tied up with his knockout losses in the past.
In a recent podcast episode uploaded to his YouTube channel, the reigning bantamweight king responded to Vera's accusations while explaining that his knockout loss to Marlon Moraes back in 2017 had nothing to do with how much weight he cut. Aljamain Sterling stated:
"I literally ran face-first into a knee against Marlon Moraes and I got faceplanted... The whole bantamweight division can go do the same exact thing and get hit on the same exact spot from the force of a kick like that, and I guarantee you, you are sleeping... How are you even comparing that to that's why he's been KO-ed unconscious?"
Watch the full episode below:
'Funk Master' is speculated to face his next title defense challenge against former UFC two-division champion Henry Cejudo.
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