There have been many rumors about Aljamain Sterling fighting Alexander Volkanovski next as the Funk Master successfully defended the bantamweight title for the third time. The featherweight champion revealed his feelings over his potential matchup with the reigning 135-lb king.
In the main event of UFC 288 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the reigning bantamweight champ defeated former two-division champion Henry Cejudo in front of his hometown crowd. In a split-decision victory, Sterling triumphed over the Olympic gold medalist with scores of 48-47, 47-48, and 48-47.
Aljamain Sterling stays the boss of the bantamweights following a legacy-defining win at #UFC288 đ pic.twitter.com/fC9Crk0PDI
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 7, 2023
What does Alexander Volkanovski say regarding the potential fight against Aljamain Sterling?
The MMA world is currently buzzing over Sterling’s victory over Triple C. In one of the recent videos on his YouTube channel, Alexander also went into great depth regarding the latest UFC event.
Some fans are eagerly anticipating a Volkanovski vs Sterling match-up, but ‘The Great’ isn’t overly enthusiastic to accept the challenge. According to the Australian fighter, Sterling has a lot to achieve yet before facing him in the octagon.
âI think you have to give it to Sterling. Just donât call me out, lads. Get a bigger win and call me out next one.â Volkanovski said.
Alexander Volkanovski appreciated Aljamain Sterling's win over Henry Cejudo.. but didn't necessarily think it was the sort of scrap needed to boost a potential fight between the two. pic.twitter.com/pRIrbyXqKD
— The Mac Life (@TheMacLife) May 8, 2023
For his fourth title defense, Funk Master will probably square off against Sean O’Malley on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Boston’s TD Garden. After dealing with Sugar, there is a good chance that the Jamaican fighter will want to go up to the 145-lb division and take on the featherweight king.
âWe werenât surprised that Sterling got that decision. Iâm glad he didnât call me out after that fight. Any fight excites me if people want it. But you want people to have big wins. You want people to want the fight. Itâs hard to say people want the fight straight after some fights.â Volkanovski added.
If not the Funk Master, who’s next for Alexander The Great?
Islam Makhachev and Volkanovski squared off in the UFC 284 main event earlier this year at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Volk’s lightweight endeavor ended with failure. On the other hand, in the featherweight match of UFC 284, Yair Rodriguez defeated Josh Emmett to win the interim featherweight championship title.
đ¨| Dana White has said that he expects Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev to defend their belts one more time before he books their rematch.#UFC284 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/e7wb77n0rY
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) February 26, 2023
Although Volk did not explicitly state that he was done competing in the lightweight division. He currently looks ready to face Yair Rodriguez before returning to Makhachev’s realm. The two seem to be considering a fight for the title in UFC 290 in Las Vegas.
The Mexican MMA fighter hopes to beat Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski in a title unification match in Mexico City in order to establish himself as the undisputed 145-pound champion. Volkanovski’s sole emphasis seems to be on defending his belt against El Pantera before facing the Funk Master or pursuing a rematch with Islam Makhachev.
How likely do you think that Aljamain Sterling is to face Alexander Volkanovski in the future, considering the fact that it seems unlikely at the moment? Share your thoughts with us below!
