“Stay your a** at 155!” Aljamain Sterling requests Max Holloway to never return to featherweight division

Aljamain Sterling sees a quick way to a featherweight title if the Hawaiian fighter stays away from the division.

“Stay your a** at 155!” Aljamain Sterling requests Max Holloway to never return to featherweight division

Aljamain Sterling asks Max Holloway to stay in the lightweight division ( via Imago)

Aljamain Sterling secured a decisive victory at UFC 300 in his featherweight debut against Calvin Kattar. Evidently eyeing a shot at the featherweight title, Sterling aims to ascend the ranks in the division. However, he did not want to come across Max Holloway and openly called for a permanent lightweight move for the Hawaiian fighter.

Post UFC 300, Aljamain Sterling spoke with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. During the conversation, Sterling talked about his aspirations in the featherweight division. After UFC 300, Max Holloway ascended to another level, and Sterling openly spoke against a featherweight return for Holloway.

Max stay your a*** at 155. We don't want you back down here. 
Aljamain Sterling via The MMA Hour
YouTube video

Holloway shocked the whole MMA community by moving up and dominating victory Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. He also received POTN and FOTN award bonuses and shared his intentions to fight Ilia Topuria next. The featherweight champion also gave the ‘Blessed’ his credit and has accepted the challenge.

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Sterling’s comment also indicated the backlog of two title challengers at the moment. Alexander Volkanovski will also likely receive a rematch against Topuria. As a result, no other contender will fight in a title bout unless Holloway and Volk receive their title shot. As such, Sterling did not want Holloway back in the featherweight division to have a quick path to the title.

Michael Bisping doesn’t think Aljamain Sterling can get a title after his performance at UFC 300

Aljamain Sterling received considerable backlash for his fighting style against Calvin Kattar at UFC 300. Despite appearing physically better at 145 pounds, Sterling primarily relied on wrestling to control Kattar throughout the match. The absence of ground and pound and prolonged periods of body control didn’t engage the fight fans at all. 

Michael Bisping criticizes Aljamain Sterling’s performance against Calvin Kattar
Michael Bisping criticizes Aljamain Sterling’s performance against Calvin Kattar ( via MMA Fighting/YouTube)

Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping made a video about it and posted it on his YouTube channel. Despite praising Sterling, the UFC Hall of Famer did not think his performance warranted a title shot next. 

So Calvin Kattar got defeated by Aljamain Sterling. Aljamain Sterling had a very safe, cautious approach unlike me. Aljamain Sterling proved to be the biggest, stronger wrestler, took down Calvin Kattar time after time after time. I don’t think that’s the fight or the performance that’s going to get him a title fight, though we know he was planning on beating Calvin Kattar and then calling out the champ.
Michael Bisping via Youtube
YouTube video

Kattar returned from a long layoff when he fought Sterling. As a result, the striker did not look at his very best. Even when taken down, Kattar didn’t look for scrambles or ways to get the fight back on the feet. As such, Bisping felt Sterling had a safe approach to the fight. A win against top five contender like Yair Rodriguez or Brian Ortega could help Sterling make his claim for the title.

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