Tickets Pulled! Aljo Turned Away From UFC 296

What’s a three time UFC bantamweight champion got to do to get tickets to UFC 296?

We’re beginning to suspect maybe the UFC doesn’t value their former bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling, very much.

The relationship between “Funkmaster” and UFC brass was rocky for the two and a half years Aljo held the 135 pound belt. UFC CEO Dana White would often pan Sterling during media interviews, saying the fighter “is one of those guys who can’t get out of his own way.”

“I don’t know if it’s self-sabotage or what it is,” he said in another interview. “He always seems to say the wrong things.”

That may come from Aljamain Sterling’s perception that the UFC was not hyped about having him as champion and looking to bounce him out of the top slot. Look at how they booked him against Henry Cejudo in May and then forced him into a fight with Sean O’Malley in August. That gives you a little view into how they don’t always have his best interests in mind.

Sterling’s well-being once again slipped the UFC’s mind on Saturday night at UFC 296. When the former champ showed up at the T-Mobile Arena to pick up tickets he’d been promised, he found out that they were no longer available.

“Sorry to the fans asking to take pictures while we were stuck outside,” Aljo wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Just a bit annoyed that we found out our tickets were pulled, after arriving to the arena.”

Sterling was left with the option of trying to source some scalped tickets if he wanted to get in. He decided to catch the fights from Flankers restaurant in the Mandalay Bay.

Sterling’s request to fight O’Malley a bit later — declined. Sterling’s request for a rematch against O’Malley — declined. Sterling’s request to fight Max Holloway for his featherweight debut — declined. And now his tickets to UFC 296 — declined. “Funkmaster” can’t get no respect.