Tag: Aljamain Sterling

Aljamain Sterling’s Teammate On Trading Punches With Fan Who Antagonized Dvalishvili At UFC 310: ‘Hopefully No Charges Pressed…’

On his The Weekly Scraps Podcast, Aljamain Sterling looked to recap his recent fight at UFC 310 this past weekend. In his second fight at featherweight, the former bantamweight champion lost a close decision to Movsar Evloev who now occupies the #4-ranking at 145-pounds. Though his prelim bout with the undefeated Russian certainly delivered, there […]

On his The Weekly Scraps Podcast, Aljamain Sterling looked to recap his recent fight at UFC 310 this past weekend. In his second fight at featherweight, the former bantamweight champion lost a close decision to Movsar Evloev who now occupies the #4-ranking at 145-pounds.

Though his prelim bout with the undefeated Russian certainly delivered, there was another major talking point regarding Sterling’s team. His long-time training partner and coach, the bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, got into a heated exchange with a member of the audience inside the T-Mobile Arena.

A video posted on social media shows that as they were walking to the back after the fight, Dvalishvili had to be separated from this fan only for their other teammate and cornerman, Dennis Buzukja, to trade punches with him before security could break it up. Dvalishvili has since shared a video that claims that the fan is actually a close friend of the likes of Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov, who the champion faces at UFC 311 in January.

Buzukja, who last fought in the UFC this past August, detailed his side of the story during the podcast.

“I don’t know if he had touched Merab as we were walking in, but somehow he got Merab’s attention and then Merab went and tapped his shoulder and just gave him the finger and then the guy gave him the finger back or whatever, he got all jumpy.

“Then as the fight finished and we’re walking back on the other side, this f****** guy comes across the whole crowd and then goes and, you’ve seen the video, he grabs Merab’s arm and then says something to him in, I guess Russian or whatever he said, and Merab started going crazy. Then we got into a little physical altercation, but that was really it. So hopefully no charges pressed and we move on.”

Buzukja went on to say that he had first got involved in the confrontation to dry and diffuse the situation but that quickly changed once he was assaulted.

“I went and approached him and I just put his hand down, I was trying to deescalate and tell him, ‘Yo, calm down, bro. Relax.’ Merab was going away, I just wanted to tell him to relax, have some respect. Then he cracked me first, actually, he cracked me with a nice little left hook and then it was just instinct to hit him back. Then security came in, but part of me is like, ‘Should I just drop the bucket and just jump over and start swinging?’ Just go full, f****** degenerate, but I’m glad it didn’t happen that way.”

Aljamain Sterling On UFC 310 Loss To Movsar Evloev: ‘Thought I Might’ve Edged It’

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling isn’t giving up his hope of two-division glory after a setback in Las Vegas on Saturday night. After debuting at 145 pounds with a convincing decision victory over Calvin Kattar this past April, Sterling was tasked with blemishing the perfect record of Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 to break […]

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling isn’t giving up his hope of two-division glory after a setback in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

After debuting at 145 pounds with a convincing decision victory over Calvin Kattar this past April, Sterling was tasked with blemishing the perfect record of Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 to break into the divisional top five and stake his claim for a shot at Ilia Topuria’s gold.

“Funk Master” was narrowly unable to achieve that feat, with his Russian counterpart grinding out a hard-fought decision victory across three rounds at T-Mobile Arena.

The result marks a second defeat in three fights for Sterling, who was thrust off the bantamweight throne by Sean O’Malley before committing to a long-awaited featherweight switch this year.

Nevertheless, the New York native doesn’t appear deterred from his pursuit of a second belt on MMA’s biggest stage.

“Tough fight…I thought I might’ve edged it out against a tough opponent, but we came up short,” Sterling wrote on X. “Thank you all for the love and support and I hope the performance was a fun one for you all to watch. Movsar is a beast, I showed where I belong in this division. For now, we decompress and heal up, then get ready to climb the ladder again. The dream doesn’t stop unless you give up! I’ll be back! #UFC310 #FunkHarbor #Perseverance“

Sterling will now look to rebound in the new year and begin a fresh surge toward the top at 145 pounds.

At 9-0, meanwhile, Evloev appears to have placed himself well for an opportunity at Topuria in 2025. While the Russian is still awaiting his first finish in the UFC, victories over Arnold Allen and Sterling this year have left his claim to a title shot hard to deny.

‘Food For Ilia Topuria’ – Fans React As Movsar Evloev Stays Undefeated With Win Over Aljamain Sterling At UFC 310

Movsar Evloev remained undefeated at UFC 310 by defeating former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling via unanimous decision. All three judges gave him the second and third rounds to bounce back from a strong start to the fight for “Funk Master.” Both men have not always been known for putting on the most exciting fights, but […]

Movsar Evloev remained undefeated at UFC 310 by defeating former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling via unanimous decision. All three judges gave him the second and third rounds to bounce back from a strong start to the fight for “Funk Master.”

Both men have not always been known for putting on the most exciting fights, but with the high stakes attached to this one, a lot of fans campaigned for it to receive a higher spot on the card. In the end, this crucial preliminary clash at featherweight ended up being an entertaining watch from start to finish, with a lot of incredibly high-level grappling exchanges between Evloev and Sterling.

At 19-0 with the #5 ranking next to his name, this could finally be the win that secures Evloev a title shot at 145 pounds. In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, the Russian joked that he gets asked this same question after all of his wins, so who knows what will be next for him at this point.

Fight fans reacted on social media to a great fight and another victory for one of the UFC’s undefeated contenders.

Movsar Evloev Outworks Aljamain Sterling, Earns Unanimous Decision Victory – UFC 310 Highlights

Movsar Evloev Outworks Aljamain Sterling to Earn Unanimous Decision Victory - UFC 310 HighlightsMovsar Evloev earned a big win over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310, outworking the ex-champion and walking away with…

Movsar Evloev Outworks Aljamain Sterling to Earn Unanimous Decision Victory - UFC 310 Highlights

Movsar Evloev earned a big win over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310, outworking the ex-champion and walking away with a unanimous decision victory.

Sterling looked sharp on his feet to start the fight, but before long, the ‘Funk Master’ secured a takedown with tons of time on the clock. Working against the fence, Sterling transitioned to Evloev’s back. With less than a minute to go, Evloev muscled his back up and managed to take Sterling’s back during the ensuing scramble.

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Things picked up right where they left off in the first with ‘Aljo’ level-changing right out of the gate and securing a slick takedown in the opening seconds. Evloev scrambled his way out of Sterling’s grasp and slid into side control before taking the ex-champion’s back. Sterling got back to his feet but ended up eating a big left from Evloev before being sent back to the mat.

Sterling once again worked his way out of the precarious position but was unable to secure another takedown before the second-round horn sounded.

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Sterling landed another early takedown to open the third and maintained control for the majority of the round. However, Evloev Granby rolled his way out of Sterling’s grip and secured top control with two minutes to go in the fight.

Sterling did everything he could to scramble and buck Evloev off him, but the Russian managed to keep his dominant position through the end of the fight.

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Official Result: Movsar Evloev def. Aljamain Sterling via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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Check out highlights from Aljamain Sterling vs. Movsar Evloev at UFC 310:

UFC 310 Best Underdog Bets and Upsets

UFC 310 Best Underdog Bets and UpsetsAs UFC 310 approaches, a host of intriguing underdog opportunities are sparking interest among bettors. Let’s spotlight several underdogs…

UFC 310 Best Underdog Bets and Upsets

As UFC 310 approaches, a host of intriguing underdog opportunities are sparking interest among bettors. Let’s spotlight several underdogs presenting compelling reasons for bettors to consider them as viable upset candidates. Aljamain Sterling, Alexander Volkov, and Michael Chiesa all possess the skills and experience to defy the odds.

UFC 310 Best Underdog Bets

Kai Asakura

While Alexandre Pantoja is the favorite, Kai Asakura presents a genuine threat to pull off an upset at UFC 310. Asakura, entering as a +200 to +230 underdog, brings devastating knockout power to the octagon, particularly with his brutal knee strikes that have ended his last two fights. Much like finding the best paying online pokies in Australia at PayidPokies bettors seeking high-value odds might find that Asakura’s explosive power could offer a rewarding return if he pulls off a shock victory at UFC 310.

This power could be the equalizer against Pantoja’s aggressive style. Pantoja, despite being a -250 to -270 favorite, has shown vulnerability to being hit in the past, which could play into Asakura’s hands. The Japanese challenger’s explosive striking and significant knockout power makes him a dangerous opponent, even if he’s making his UFC debut and fighting at flyweight for the first time in years.

If Asakura can time one of his signature knees or right hooks to catch Pantoja coming in, he has the potential to shock the world and become the first Japanese UFC champion.

Aljamain Sterling

One of the most appealing live underdogs is Aljamain Sterling at +215 odds against Movsar Evloev. Despite being the former bantamweight champion, Sterling finds himself as a sizeable underdog in this featherweight matchup. His strong wrestling and grappling skills make him a dangerous opponent even against the undefeated Evloev. Sterling’s experience at the highest level and ability to rise to big occasions give him a solid chance at pulling off the upset.

Alexander Volkov

Another underdog worth a look is Alexander Volkov at +295 against Ciryl Gane. While Gane won their first meeting, Volkov has been on an impressive four-fight win streak, including victories over top heavyweights. His technical striking and use of his reach make him a live underdog, especially considering the value in his odds. Volkov’s consistency and recent form suggest he has a real shot at avenging his previous loss to Gane.

Michael Chiesa

Lastly, although not as big of an underdog, Michael Chiesa at -108 against Max Griffin presents an interesting opportunity. Chiesa’s grappling skills and durability make him a tough matchup for Griffin, who has struggled against higher-level competition. Chiesa’s ability to control the fight on the ground could be the key to securing a victory, making him a solid underdog pick despite the close odds.

As fight night approaches, fans and bettors alike will be watching closely to see if these underdogs can live up to their potential and deliver unexpected outcomes, adding another layer of excitement to UFC 310.

Michael Chiesa

Movsar Evloev Differs From Aljamain Sterling On View Of UFC 310 Card Placement

Undefeated UFC featherweight contender Movsar Evloev couldn’t care less whether he makes the walk at the start or end of a fight card. Evloev is set for a crucial outing this weekend at UFC 310, where he looks to stake his claim for a first shot at gold on MMA’s biggest stage at the expense […]

Undefeated UFC featherweight contender Movsar Evloev couldn’t care less whether he makes the walk at the start or end of a fight card.

Evloev is set for a crucial outing this weekend at UFC 310, where he looks to stake his claim for a first shot at gold on MMA’s biggest stage at the expense of former bantamweight kingpin Aljamain Sterling.

The Russian opened his account for 2024 by getting the better of Arnold Allen in Canada this past January. The result pushed him into the top five at 145 pounds and left him 8-0 since joining the UFC from M-1 Global in 2019.

But he’s come under fire for failing to find a finish in his UFC tenure to date, and Dana White’s reaction to his latest win would suggest Evloev isn’t Mr. Popular among the promotional higher-ups.

That’s perhaps contributed to the controversial decision to place Evloev’s clash with Sterling — another whose entertainment value has been called into question by some — on Saturday’s preliminary card.

The move hasn’t pleased “Funk Master,” who has vowed to prove that the UFC made a mistake. Evloev, however, is seemingly unbothered.

“Guys my fight will be broadcasted on ESPN, way more people will watch my fight than on the PPV, I don’t even care if I’m the first fight of the night, I get paid the same,” Evloev wrote on X. “All my life I worked hard to earn thing nothing was ever given to me”

Regardless of their position on the lineup, both Evloev and Sterling will be looking to put themselves among the night’s biggest winners by extending their respective unbeaten featherweight records. “Funk Master” is 1-0 in the division, having gotten the better of Calvin Kattar on debut this past April.