Aljamain Sterling has been the reigning UFC bantamweight champion since March 2021. The funk master has a record of 22 victories in 25 professional MMA fights. This American became the new bantamweight champion after Petr Yan was stripped of his title at UFC 259 for illegal knee movement.
Sterling had successfully defended his title twice, once against Petr Yan by a contentious split decision and again, most recently, against former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw by TKO in the co-main event of UFC 280.
Aljamain Sterling now holds the longest winstreak in bantamweight HISTORY with 8 straight đ #UFC280 pic.twitter.com/qymqyd9dmp
— UFC (@ufc) October 22, 2022
Now that the speculation about the upcoming bantamweight title challenger has started, Sterling is fully prepared to take down anyone who could make the weight, but the Funk Master needs at least 6 months to heal his body. After that, Dana White can choose any opponent for him.
âI said June, but Iâm sure Iâll have the itch to compete again sooner than that. I really donât care against who. If Dana says, you, then itâs done.â
I said June, but Iâm sure Iâll have the itch to compete again sooner than that. I really donât care against who. If Dana says, you, then itâs done.#IDidntForgetYouChito â¤ď¸ https://t.co/TcLLipD3au
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 2, 2022
Though the UFC president is trying to set up a title fight between former UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo and the current champion, in a recent Twitter battle, Sterling expressed his intention to fight Marlon âChitoâ Vera.
The Ecuadorian MMA artist Marlon Vera is currently the 4th ranked bantamweight fighter in the UFC. Chito holds a record of 20 wins, 7 losses, and 1 draw out of his 28 professional appearances. Vera has won four of his last five fights in the octagon. This makes him one of the top contenders for the bantamweight title in the coming year.
Ok what date works for you @funkmasterMMA ?
— C Hđđ˝T OđŞđ¨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) November 2, 2022
This winning streak has made Vera so confident that he thinks he will finish Sterling and claim the UFC bantamweight title, which is why he wants a fixed date from the current champion to fight.
âIm not tripping, letâs do it! Trust me I will make you remember.â
Im not tripping, letâs do it! Trust me I will make you remember. https://t.co/vXjyoooTWF
— C Hđđ˝T OđŞđ¨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) November 2, 2022