After beginning his UFC career with four straight wins, bantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling has posted a pedestrian 3-3 record since the start of 2016.
Coming off a unanimous decision win over talented Welsh prospect Brett Johns, “Funk Master” is hoping to reclaim his divisional stronghold tomorrow night (Sat., Sept. 8, 2018) at UFC 228 live on pay-per-view (PPV) from inside American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, when he takes on streaking wrestler Cody Stamann.
It is a huge opportunity for Sterling considering Stamann is currently 3-0 in UFC competition. In order to capitalize on this weekend’s matchup, Sterling must change things up and fight with a little more intensity this time around.
“Sometimes, I used to have a tendency when I took guys down, I just wanted to choke them out (and say), ‘You did well, good job, thanks for coming,’” Sterling told MMAjunkie. “But this time, I’m going to take you down, and just know I’m going to put a little extra stank on those elbows.
“I’m trying to leave him a couple of bruises to remember me by.”
With a 17-1 professional record, Stamann is a steep test for any fighter at 135 pounds, let alone one on the rebound like Sterling. So even though casual fight fans may not be aware of Stamann’s divisional potential and overall dominance inside of the cage, Sterling isn’t taking the 29-year-old lightly.
“He still doesn’t even have a blue check (next to his name on Twitter),” Sterling said when asked what a win against Stamann means. “I’m joking, but not really. I think this puts me back into title contention. It has to.”
Despite minor bumps in the road, Sterling remains one of the more skilled fighters in the UFC’s talent-rich bantamweight division. A victory over Stamann this weekend at UFC 228 should launch “Funk Master” back into the mix at 135 pounds and set him up for a promising 2019 campaign.
“He has to put me out in order to win this fight,” proclaimed Sterling. “That’s how I honestly feel. Cody, you better bring your ‘A’ game. That’s all I can say.”