"You guys really just have no clue how good my ground game is"– Aljamain Sterling defends his controversial stoppage win due to TJ Dillashaw's shoulder injury at UFC 280

Aljamain Sterling is fighting back against the controversy behind his UFC 280 win.

Sterling recently secured his second UFC bantamweight title defense. TJ Dillashaw entered the fight with a pre-existing shoulder injury, which supposedly dislocated multiple times during training.

His injury clearly impacted the UFC 280 co-main event. Sterling went in for a double-leg takedown, and Dillashaw dislocated his shoulder almost immediately in an attempt to escape the takedown.

The MMA community has debated over whether the result would have been any different if the former champion had been healthy. Sterling gave his views on the matter:

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“Based on skill set, size, experience- I get anyone in that position [on the ground], the fight is usually over. Not saying this to be cocky whatsoever, but I feel you guys really just have no clue how good my ground game is."

Aljamain Sterling

@funkmasterMMA

Then with all due respect as well, my tweet is my tweet. Based on skill set, size, experience- I get anyone in that position, the fight is usually over. Not saying this to be cocky whatsoever, but I feel you guys really just have no clue how good my ground game is. twitter.com/shak_fu/status…

Shakiel Mahjouri

@Shak_Fu

@funkmasterMMA With all due respect Aljo, I think you're missing the point with this specific example. I'm certain they mention in this episode that your TDs and performance deserve praise. They're only suggesting that TJ's camp robbed the fans of possibly experiencing a competitive fight, IMO

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@funkmasterMMA With all due respect Aljo, I think you're missing the point with this specific example. I'm certain they mention in this episode that your TDs and performance deserve praise. They're only suggesting that TJ's camp robbed the fans of possibly experiencing a competitive fight, IMO

Then with all due respect as well, my tweet is my tweet. Based on skill set, size, experience- I get anyone in that position, the fight is usually over. Not saying this to be cocky whatsoever, but I feel you guys really just have no clue how good my ground game is. twitter.com/shak_fu/status…

Opining that Dillashaw's stand-up game would have been meaningless in face of relentless takedowns, 'Aljo' further added:

“You guys feel it would’ve been different [if TJ wasn’t injured], I’m here saying no. What would’ve changed? Blocking better or being more reckless to escape giving up the submission instead? TJ needed to keep it standing for it to be competitive. I’m saying being taken down that early is the same result.”

Aljamain Sterling

@funkmasterMMA

You guys feel it would’ve been different, I’m here saying no. What would’ve changed? Blocking better or being more reckless to escape giving up the submission instead? TJ needed to keep it standing for it to be competitive. I’m saying being TD that early is the same result.

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You guys feel it would’ve been different, I’m here saying no. What would’ve changed? Blocking better or being more reckless to escape giving up the submission instead? TJ needed to keep it standing for it to be competitive. I’m saying being TD that early is the same result.

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Ariel Helwani sparks rumors of Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo being next

The rumor mill was working overtime during the UFC 280 fight week when Dana White name-dropped Henry Cejudo as a possible bantamweight title challenger. MMA journalist Ariel Helwani then fanned the fire by saying this on The MMA Hour:

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"I'm hearing what the UFC wants. What the UFC wants right now is Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo in Perth."

The UFC is targeting an event in Perth, Australia, on February 12, 2023. Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev did a faceoff in the octagon after UFC 280 for a possible lightweight title fight on the Perth card. Now with the Sterling vs. Cejudo rumors, the card seems to be slowly taking shape.

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Watch Ariel Helwani discuss the possibility of Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo (starting at the 13:30 mark below):

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