Aljamain Sterling is eager to turn the page on his past experiences as he embarks on a new phase of his career.
Following his loss of the UFC Bantamweight Championship to Sean O’Malley at UFC 292, Sterling is primed for a comeback, transitioning to featherweight. His return bout will see him face off against top contender Calvin Kattar on the UFC 300 undercard this Saturday.
Although Sterling no longer holds the championship belt after three successful title defenses, the 34-year-old remains steadfast in his belief that his days as a champion are far from over.
“I think a win over Calvin Kattar just symbolizes that I'm one of the best in the world,” Sterling asserted on his YouTube channel. “Not because of my size, I'm one of the best in the world because of my fight IQ. I think I'm one of the best in the world beating a guy like Calvin Kattar who's fought and beaten some of the best guys in that division."
Sterling envisions this victory as a stepping stone towards his goal of becoming a double champion and etching his name further into the annals of UFC history. His pursuit is not solely about the accolades but also about the journey and the financial rewards it brings.
The pursuit of financial gain was a factor in Sterling's decision to hastily accept a fight with Sean O’Malley, a move he now reflects on with a tinge of regret.
Reflecting on his decision-making process, Sterling acknowledged the pressure to stay active and earn income, even if it meant compromising on preparation time. Despite the outcome of his bout with O’Malley, Sterling sees his upcoming fight against Kattar as an opportunity for redemption.
“Now here's another opportunity for me to fight another long, rangy guy again. I think it gives me an opportunity to show like, yeah, I had an off night,” Sterling acknowledged. “Even if I don't win against Calvin, I think the performance just being better overall will just show that I had an off night. I think that's what it's all about for me."
Calvin Kattar shares Sterling's perspective, recognizing the significance of their upcoming bout as a chance to prove themselves against top-level competition.
“[Sterling is] arguably the greatest bantamweight of all time,” Kattar acknowledged. “He’s a high-level competitor. He’s a former champ going up a division. There will be a lot of eyes on this one so I’m excited for the opportunity to go out, compete, and keep my stock at an all-time high."
As Sterling prepares to make his featherweight debut against Kattar at UFC 300, he aims to showcase his resilience and reaffirm his status as a top contender in the UFC.
