[autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] is intrigued by the decisions of two new additions to the UFC’s bantamweight division.
Speaking on the “UFC Unfiltered” podcast, top bantamweight contender Sterling (18-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC), who’s currently recovering from a wrist injury, said he’s not quite sure why former UFC champions and likely future UFC Hall of Famers [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] and [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag] are making the move down to 135 pounds at this point in their careers.
Aldo is scheduled to take on Marlon Moraes at UFC 245 on Dec. 14, and Edgar meets Cory Sandhagen at UFC Raleigh on Jan. 25. Another recent addition to the division is Urijah Faber, who took out Ricky Simon in his comeback and will now take on Petr Yan at UFC 245.
Should any of the three emerge victorious, they could very well be next in line for a title shot against current champion Henry Cejudo. But Sterling hopes that won’t be the case.
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“Two belts in two different weight classes would be historic, but they’re old in fight years, they’re older in age, and they’re fighting guys who are almost a decade younger than them – so it’s going to be very interesting to see how they do,” Sterling said. “I’m not wishing them any type of ill will, but at the same time, I just wish they hug each other for 15 minutes and have boring fights.
“I don’t really understand or can make much sense out of it. I’m like, ‘You guys established yourselves as (1)45-ers – to come down at that age, that late in your career, it doesn’t make a ton of sense to me.’ It’s the last Hail Mary. It’s the last hurrah for another title shot and one more chance for them to become a champion again in another weight class.”
Sterling, who was scheduled to welcome Edgar to the bantamweight division before being forced out due to injury, is enjoying his best career run. He has won his past four fights, including victories over Jimmie Rivera and Pedro Munhoz. He thinks an established bantamweight like himself should be getting the next crack at the title.
“I hope all the guys coming down in weight class have an egg of a fight, and leave us real bantamweights who’ve been here, putting in the work, to get a shot,” Sterling said.
“I hope they have boring fights so our last fights stick out the most. All the old guys coming down – Faber, Edgar, Aldo – I hope they just get tired and just hug each other.”
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