Aljamain Sterling teases Max Holloway fight at featherweight debut after loss to Sean O’Malley for bantamweight title

Aljamain Sterling hinted at a potential fight against Max Holloway on his debut in the UFC featherweight division.

Aljamain Sterling teases Max Holloway fight at featherweight debut after loss to Sean O’Malley for bantamweight title

Aljamain Sterling, veers towards featherweight debut with Max Holloway than Calvin Kattar

Aljamain Sterling was on his way to becoming the best bantamweight fighter of all time. But he lost to Sean O’Malley in UFC 292 despite being a heavy favorite to win the fight. Now, he hinted at a potential matchup between him and Max Holloway in the featherweight division. Further, he mentioned that it could go down by March 2024.

Earlier, Aljamain Sterling had his eyes on a move up to the featherweight division citing that the weight cut to 135lbs was rough. But after this loss, he looked back at his idea to move up a weight class. COntrastingly, with the recent tweet he posted on X, we can almost confirm his step up to the featherweight division. Further, he insinuated that his opponent was Max Holloway. Here is what he wrote on X:

March. Trynna make it Blessed
Aljamain Sterling (via X)
YouTube video

Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway is a household name in the featherweight division. While competing in the featherweight division, he’s only lost to the current champion Alexander Volkanovski in the past ten years. So this would be the ultimate test for Aljamain Sterling considering this would be his first UFC fight in the 145lbs division.

FS Video

Aljamain Sterling was on a nine-fight win streak including three title defenses before losing to Sean O’Malley. Max Holloway is on a two-fight win streak and is knocking on the door for his fourth fight against Alexander Volkanovski. Considering the landscape of the featherweight division, this fight might as well serve as a title eliminator.

Related: “Going too far” – Fans question fighting motivation of Aljamain Sterling after putting several fighters in ‘friendzone’

Aljamain Sterling shared his opinion about the controversial stoppage between Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira faced Jiri Prochazka for the vacated light-heavyweight championship. Pereira won the fight via TKO in the second round. However, the stoppage received criticism all over the internet. Referee Marc Goddard was accused of stopping the fight prematurely. But, Aljamain Sterling spoke in support of the referee. Even, Jiri Prochazka didn’t protest the decision and accepted it.

Aljamain Sterling weighs in on Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira rumored early stoppage
Aljamain Sterling weighs in on Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira’s rumored early stoppage (Source: IMAGO/Twitter)

Aljamain Sterling on his weekly scraps podcast talked about Marc Goddard’s stoppage in UFC 295. He said that it was a good stoppage despite it being condemned early by many. However, The Funkmasker stated that it would’ve been better to let the fight go on for a few more seconds considering the UFC title was on the line. Here is what he said:

I think it was a good stoppage. But, at the same time, I wouldn't be upset if they let it go a little bit longer and take a couple more shots. Just, good measure to be like okay, now there's a nail in the coffin.
Aljamain Sterling (via FunkMasterMMA)

After having an illustrious championship run in the bantamweight division, Aljamain Sterling was teasing a move up to the featherweight division. He hinted at a potential fight against Max Holloway in March. But, there’s no official news from the UFC.

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