Aljamain Sterling Suspects ‘Russian Bias’ After Movsar Evloev Edges Controversial Decision at UFC London

#5 ranked UFC featherweight Aljamain Sterling calls out former rival Movsar Evloev's UFC London win over Lerone Murphy.

Aljamain Sterling Suspects ‘Russian Bias’ After Movsar Evloev Edges Controversial Decision at UFC London

Aljamain Sterling calls out Movsar Evloev's win at UFC London (via Bloody Elbow, MMA Mania)

In Short
  • Aljamain Sterling criticized the judging of Movsar Evloev's majority decision win at UFC London, suggesting a bias related to Evloev's Russian affiliation.
  • Evloev's fight against Lerone Murphy was marked by limited action and a controversial point deduction for a low blow.
  • Sterling is preparing for a fight against Youssef Zalal, while Evloev is positioned for a potential title shot against Alexander Volkanovski.

Wrestle‑heavy fighters have faced growing criticism for bouts seen as lacking action in recent months. Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 relied heavily on grappling, producing underwhelming contests. Analysts have questioned this style for its limited excitement. The debate resurfaced when Aljamain Sterling raised concerns over Movsar Evloev’s performance at UFC London.

Evloev’s fight against Lerone Murphy at UFC London drew controversy due to its pacing and overall lack of action. The bout ended in a majority decision for Evloev, with two judges scoring 48‑46 and one scoring 47‑47. A one‑point deduction for an low blow in the fourth round influenced the final result. Much of the fight remained limited to sustained striking exchanges with grappling action from Evloev throughout.

Evloev was widely expected to rely primarily on his grappling against Murphy. However, the Russian featherweight demonstrated striking skills throughout the fight, landing effective shots alongside his control. The bout’s outcome remained controversial because Evloev only gained clear momentum in the third round. This performance led to Sterling criticizing Evloev for his cautious approach.

Easiest draw to score! It’s as if “Russian affliation” means you win every close RD?? This is nonsense. Score the fight properly; effective striking, damage, and duration. How does Movsar win with a point deduction in that main event? Make it make sense! When I win, i will do my best to dominate, and I will be the rightful challenger to the throne. And I will fight ANYONE that feels otherwise. The Night King is coming!

Aljamain Sterling via X

Sterling speaks from experience regarding Evloev’s skills. The former bantamweight champion faced Evloev in his second featherweight outing at UFC 310 in December 2024. Sterling lost via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the last two rounds for Evloev. The fight showcased Evloev’s control and grappling, as the ‘Funkmaster’ struggled to impose his striking throughout three rounds.

However, Sterling quickly established himself in the 145-pound division with a decisive victory over former title challenger Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai in August 2025. He immediately turned his focus toward reigning featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski, clearly making his case for a title shot. Sterling’s rapid adaptation demonstrated his ability to consistently compete at the division’s highest level.

The trajectories of Evloev and Sterling’s careers continue to diverge at featherweight. The Russian contender is now unquestionably in line for a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski, reflecting his unbeaten streak and recent performance. Aljamain Sterling is preparing to face rising contender Youssef Zalal at UFC Las Vegas in April 2026. Both fighters remain on paths that could set up a potential rematch in the future.

Aljamain Sterling replies to Movsar Evloev’s controversial manager

Ali Abdelaziz is a prominent MMA manager and founder of Dominance MMA, representing multiple high-profile fighters in the sport. He has faced criticism, as many believe he controls his fighters’ social media accounts. Critics also claim he is biased toward athletes signed under his promotion. Abdelaziz’s approach has sparked ongoing debate about management influence and fighter autonomy.

Aljamain Sterling
Aljamain Sterling (via Bleacher Report)

Movsar Evloev is also managed by the Egyptian executive behind Dominance MMA. After Evloev’s win over Lerone Murphy at UFC London, Abdelaziz posted on X highlighting that Evloev trained while fasting for Ramadan. He also revealed the fight was nearly canceled due to visa issues. Abdelaziz emphasized that Evloev overcame these obstacles, leading to Aljamain Sterling replying to his comments.

That fight was a draw at best. Respect to all the circumstances but there’s no way he should’ve won that. Insane.

Aljamain Sterling via X

The exchange between Ali Abdelaziz and Aljamain Sterling highlights the ongoing debate over fighter management and performance narratives in MMA. The Russian contender’s victory at UFC London, achieved despite fasting and visa challenges, reinforces his standing as a top featherweight contender. The Funkmaster’s response underscores differing perspectives on judging and fight outcomes.

Also Read: