Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling finds himself at a crossroads following a loss to Movsar Evloev at UFC 310.
The defeat marked a turning point after a brief resurgence in his career, fueled by a notable victory over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300 this past April. That win had temporarily revived Sterling’s momentum after losing his bantamweight title to Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 in 2023.
Now, having had his push for two-division glory stalled, Sterling is openly questioning his future in mixed martial arts.
Reflecting on his career trajectory during a YouTube video, “Funk Master” expressed uncertainty about whether he has the motivation to “climb the ladder all over again” in pursuit of the belt. Instead, he is contemplating alternative paths, including supporting his teammates or focusing on high-profile, entertaining matchups.
“Do I continue, or do I just help out the guys and help them get ready for their fights, and maybe just take fun fights? I don’t know,” Sterling said. “I don’t want to retire, but I’ve got to see what the UFC offers and then kind of make a decision from there to see where my positioning is.
“It’s tough to even talk like this because I’m only 35,” Sterling continued. “I know people think I still look good and everything, but my body hurts.”
Sterling acknowledged that his training regimen has evolved as his body no longer endures the intensity it once did. He admitted that the grueling schedule of training three times a day may have given him an edge in his prime — one he feels is harder to maintain now.
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