Stop doubting Aljamain Sterling. After a weekend where "The Funk Master" systematically dismantled the surging Youssef Zalal at UFC Vegas 116, the narrative should be over. He's not just a bantamweight veteran playing around in a heavier division. He’s a legitimate title threat who just took an eight-fight winning streak and snapped it over his knee. Sterling controlled nearly every second of that five-round main event, proving that his grappling isn't just effective—it's suffocating.
If you watched the fight at the Meta Apex on Saturday, you saw a masterclass in positional dominance. Zalal is a dangerous, rangy striker who had all the momentum in the world. Sterling didn't care. He implemented a "blanket" style that frustrated Zalal, and honestly, it should frustrate the rest of the 145-pound division too. With scorecards reading 49-45 across the board, Sterling didn't just win; he erased Zalal’s offense.
The resume that makes a title shot undeniable
Sterling didn't just show up and beat a prospect. He’s currently ranked number five, and he’s stacking bodies. People forget he already handled Brian Ortega and Calvin Kattar. If you beat Ortega and then follow it up by shutting down a red-hot Youssef Zalal, what else is there to prove? He’s the former bantamweight king with the most consecutive defenses in that division’s history. That kind of pedigree carries weight, and he's finally adjusted to the 145-pound frame.
Look at the numbers from Saturday night. Sterling landed six takedowns and logged massive control time. His total strike accuracy was over 75%. While some fans complain about the lack of a finish, those people don't understand high-level MMA. Controlling a guy like Zalal for 25 minutes is harder than catching someone with a lucky punch. It’s a display of superior cardio and mental fortitude.
Why the Ilia Topuria matchup is the fight to make
The featherweight division is in a weird spot. You have Movsar Evloev waiting in the wings, but his style is—let’s be real—even more conservative than Sterling’s. Then you have the champion, Ilia Topuria, who looks like a wrecking ball. Putting Sterling against Topuria creates a classic stylistic clash. It’s the ultimate "can you stop the takedown" test for the champ.
Sterling is vocal about this. In his post-fight interview, he made it clear: he’s done with the "proving it" phase. He wants the gold. If the UFC passes him over now, they're basically saying that being a dominant, consistent winner doesn't matter as much as being a social media highlight reel. That's a bad look for a sport that prides itself on being the best vs. the best.
Addressing the critics of the Funk Master style
I get it. You want to see blood and knockouts. But Aljamain Sterling isn't here to entertain your bloodlust; he's here to win world titles and collect checks. His back-control skills are arguably the best in the entire promotion. In the fourth round against Zalal, he stayed on the back like a backpack, landing short, punishing blows that didn't just score points—they broke Zalal’s spirit.
Critics love to bring up the Sean O'Malley loss, but that was at 135 pounds after a grueling weight cut and a quick turnaround. At featherweight, Sterling looks energized. He’s stronger, his chin seems more resilient, and his gas tank is deep enough to go five rounds without breaking a sweat. If you’re still hating on Aljo in 2026, you’re just choosing to be blind to greatness.
The logistics of the 145 pound shark tank
The path forward is simple. The UFC needs to stop dangling carrots. Sterling has done the work. He took the "tough" fights that other top-fivers avoided.
- He beat Kattar when people said he was too small.
- He out-grappled Ortega when people said he couldn't handle the BJJ of the elite.
- He neutralized Zalal when everyone called the youngster the next big thing.
There are no more excuses. The winner of Topuria vs. Volkanovski (if that rematch happens) should have Aljamain Sterling waiting for them. Or, if the UFC wants to be truly fair, put Aljo in a final eliminator against Diego Lopes. Either way, Sterling has earned his seat at the head of the table.
Don't wait for the rankings to update on Tuesday to realize what happened. We just watched a former champ confirm his status as an elite two-division threat. Sterling is ready for the belt. It’s time for the UFC to book it.
