(Video) Aljamain Sterling’s ‘No Pause’ Moment Calling Out UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski Leaves Daniel Cormier in Splits

Aljamain Sterling continues his expedition at 145 pounds with an impressive win over Youssef Zalal at UFC Vegas 116.

(Video) Aljamain Sterling’s ‘No Pause’ Moment Calling Out UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski Leaves Daniel Cormier in Splits

Aljamain Sterling's hilarious callout cracks up Daniel Cormier (via Bloody Elbow)

In Short
  • Aljamain Sterling secured a unanimous decision victory over Youssef Zalal at UFC Vegas 116, showcasing his grappling skills.
  • In a post-fight interview, Sterling animatedly called out Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev, leading to an awkward moment with Daniel Cormier.
  • Sterling, now 36, is actively pursuing a second title in the featherweight division while reflecting on personal struggles that influenced his fighting career.

Ever since Aljamain Sterling moved up to featherweight, he has looked more comfortable and closer to peak form. The shift has allowed the former bantamweight champion to compete with renewed energy. Sterling reinforced that with a win over rising contender Youssef Zalal at UFC Vegas 116. However, the ‘Funkmaster’ followed it with a questionable and hilarious post-fight interview alongside Daniel Cormier.

Sterling delivered a dominant five-round performance against Zalal, relying on grappling to control the fight. Sterling secured multiple takedowns and maintained extended top control, neutralizing Zalal’s offense. His pressure limited Zalal’s output, with judges scoring a unanimous decision. ‘The Moroccan Devil’ had brief resurgence, including a submission attempt, but struggled to sustain momentum.

After the win, Sterling appeared in high spirits and carried that energy into his post-fight interview with Cormier. He made a series of animated callouts targeting former rival Movsar Evloev while also naming champion Alexander Volkanovski for a potential shot at the title. The exchange turned awkward when Cormier leaned in and whispered for him to pause, but Sterling continued speaking through the moment.

The win over Zalal extended Sterling’s momentum at featherweight, adding to his previous impressive victory over former title challenger Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai. In that fight, Sterling suffered a serious elbow injury from a misplaced spinning elbow but still secured the win. The performance highlighted his durability at 145 pounds. Afterward, he positioned himself as ready to face Volkanovski.

Sterling’s callout of Movsar Evloev is notable given their shared history at featherweight. The Russian contender handed Sterling his first loss at 145 pounds at UFC 310, shaping the division’s current landscape. Their rivalry remains active, with Sterling continuing to reference that setback. More recently, he questioned the credibility of Evloev’s majority decision win over Lerone Murphy at UFC London.

At 36, Aljamain Sterling is actively pursuing a second divisional title with growing urgency. With his career now in its later stages, he is pushing to secure another championship as soon as possible. He has also stayed active outside the UFC, defeating Benson Henderson via tech fall on short notice at RAF 06. While his momentum is evident, a title shot remains uncertain as the 145-pound division stays stacked.

Aljamain Sterling reveals what pushed him into combat sports

Many UFC fighters have entered MMA following trauma-filled childhoods or life-threatening incidents stemming from abuse. One example is former middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who endured mental and physical abuse from his father during his early years. Those experiences have often been cited as shaping his path into fighting. It now appears Aljamain Sterling’s story follows a similar pattern.

Aljamain Sterling
Aljamain Sterling (via Bleacher Report)

Sterling has largely kept his personal struggles private while occasionally sharing moments with his family publicly. He also married his longtime girlfriend Rebecca Cruz in October 2025, marking an important milestone in his life. Recently, Sterling revealed how abuse from his father shaped his early mindset. He explained it pushed him toward violence and influenced his eventual path into MMA.

I was like the little black sheep in the family. I got a lot of brothers but I definitely received the short end of the stick. I used to fight with a lot of anger because of him. That was always like my source. I don’t talk to him, he don’t talk to me.

Aljamain Sterling via Home Of Fight

In reflecting on his journey, Aljamain Sterling acknowledged that those experiences shaped him into the fighter he is today. He has built a successful career, with an estimated net worth of around $2 million. Outside the Octagon, he also runs his Jamaican rum brand Funk Harbor Rum. Funkmaster’s story highlights how adversity translated into both professional success and personal growth.

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