Aljamain Sterling has been patiently waiting for his opportunity to shake up the UFC’s bantamweight division. And that’s exactly what he intends to do at UFC on Fox 15.
The highly touted 25-year-old Serra-Longo product has been eager to get back to work inside the Octagon, and his long wait will come to an end when he steps in against Takeya Mizugaki on April 18 in Newark, New Jersey. The Japanese veteran is as experienced as they come in the 135-pound ranks, and the fight will provide Sterling an excellent opportunity to take a big jump up the divisional hierarchy with a victory.
Nevertheless, the path he’s traveled between appearances on the sport’s biggest stage has come with plenty of twists and turns. The undefeated prospect’s most recent showing came at Fight Night 45 last July where “The Funk Master” finished scrappy Brazilian Hugo Viana via TKO in the third round to pick up his second consecutive victory under the UFC banner. He was next slated to face fellow up-and comer Mitch Gagnon three months later in Fairfax, Nova Scotia, but an injury forced Sterling to withdraw from the bout.
The Long Island native was then matched up with Frankie Saenz at Fight Night 55 on November 7, but after his opponent fell out due to injury and the UFC cancelled the contract of the man tapped to replace him, Sterling once again found himself playing the waiting game. Those circumstances would be enough to rattle a lesser fighter, but Sterling kept his composure throughout, and continued to hone his talents inside the gym.
He knew his time to shine would arrive before long and the upcoming bout with Mizugaki represents the opportunity he’s been waiting for. With the top tier in the bantamweight division experiencing a lull at the present time, Sterling knows an impressive victory over a proven talent in Mizugaki would go a long way toward helping him establish himself as a major threat in the 135-pound collective.
The highly energetic former wrestler turned mixed martial artist plans to make a huge statement at UFC on Fox 15 and get his 2015 campaign off to a memorable start.
“This division needs some funk, and on April 18 I’m going to bring it,” Sterling told Bleacher Report. “People want to see the ‘Funk Daddy’ and I’m going to give it to them. I’m coming in large and in charge. All 136 pounds of me and I’m coming to put on a show.
“This is a great opportunity and I’m excited for it. There is a lot of room in this division for someone to come up and make some noise and that’s what I’m aiming for. It’s the perfect time to go out there and shine. I’m going out there to put on an impressive performance and get a big win over a tough fighter like Mizugaki. He’s as game as they come and I can’t wait to get in the cage with him. A win in this fight would be a great way to start my year and I’m going to show everyone the Funk Master is back.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com