Former UFC champions Aljamain Sterling and Chris Weidman will both compete on the preliminary card of Saturday’s UFC 310 event, a decision that has sparked debate among fighters and fans alike.
Sterling, a former bantamweight champion, is set to face featherweight contender Movsar Evloev. Ex-middleweight king Weidman, meanwhile, takes on Eryk Anders. The placement has left Sterling particularly puzzled, as he expected a higher-profile slot at the event.
The issue of card placement was a topic on the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer, where former UFC fighter Matt Brown shared insight into how such decisions impact fighters’ morale.
Brown explained that being on the prelims often feels like a demotion, particularly for established veterans and former champions.
“When they put us on the prelims, you feel like you’re kind of demoted,” Brown said.
He elaborated on the stark difference in atmosphere, noting the impact of performing in front of smaller crowds compared to the energy of a packed arena later in the event.
“Especially when you’ve got a guy like Chris Weidman, who’s a former champion, and Aljamain Sterling, who’s a former champion. They feel like they’re demoted. I guarantee. I feel that way when I’d get put on the prelims. Like you don’t care about me as much. Like you think I’m on my way out.”
Brown underscored that every fighter aims to climb the card toward main events, as those slots reflect respect and relevance in the promotion. For veterans like Sterling and Weidman, prelim placement at UFC 310 may feel like a sign the promotion sees their careers winding down.
The conversation around card placement highlights a deeper issue in how fighters’ legacies are perceived and celebrated within the UFC. As Sterling and Weidman prepare for their bouts at UFC 310, the debate continues over whether their preliminary card placement is a missed opportunity to showcase their enduring star power.
