Aljamain Sterling has stayed busy since his time as Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight champion ended at UFC 292 in August 2023.
Unfortunately for “Funk Master,” his last mixed martial arts (MMA) contest didn’t go his way when Sean O’Malley defeated him via second round technical knockout with punches (watch highlights). In the future, the former titleholder plans to leave his longtime home of 135 pounds in the rear-view mirror as he pursues Featherweight.
Before he makes his debut at 145 pounds in UFC, he’ll first take on UFC Lightweight, Chase Hooper, in an upcoming grappling match at ADXC 2 on Jan. 19, 2024. Also competing on the card will be a cross-promotional Lightweight pairing that pits UFC’s Terrance McKinney against Professional Fighters League’s (PFL) Sydney Outlaw.
The announced match up for Sterling gives him two to look forward to as he’ll still compete against Kevin Danztler in the FURY Pro Grappling 8 main event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Dec. 30, 2023. By the time Sterling goes against Hooper, he’ll have had three grappling matches since his title reign ended, as he already defeated UFC Featherweight veteran, Mike Grundy, at Polaris 25 in September 2023.
Sterling is known for his great wrestling abilities, which helped carry him to the record for the longest winning streak in Bantamweight history that’s tied at nine alongside his best friend and teammate, Merab Dvalishvili. Of his four losses (23-4 overall record), Sterling’s most grappling-heavy defeat came in his first when he fell via split decision to Bryan Caraway in May 2016.