Former bantamweight world champion Aljamain ‘Funk Master’ Sterling returns to the octagon in just a few weeks’ time when he faces 18-0 featherweight phenom Movsar Evloev on the main card of UFC 310.
In order to help prepare him for the grappling-heavy style of the undefeated Russian, Aljamain Sterling has teamed up with popular contender and seasoned wrestler Bryce Mitchell – with footage of their intense sparring session making its way online.
Aljamain Sterling links up with Bryce ‘Thug Nasty’ Mitchell ahead of UFC 310
Whilst Bryce Mitchell has been notably absent from UFC action for almost a whole year, ‘Thug Nasty’ recently made the trip out to Las Vegas to help Aljamain Sterling prepare for his upcoming clash with Mosvar Evloev.
“I’m doing good brother,” Mitchell said on his absence in Sterling’s latest training VLOG, teasing that he hoped to get through the sparring session without taking much damage from the ‘Funk Master’.
“Well today with Aljo, I am trying to survive another hard training session… If I get out of here injury-free then imma thank God because you know, I’m just grateful for every round that I get to do because this is hard training bro.”
Hard training indeed, with Sterling and Mitchell going three tough rounds at the UFC PI: both athletes landed some clean shots on the feet, although Sterling got the better of the grappling exchanges.
“We always get good rounds in,” Mitchell stated after the final bell, explaining how whilst there’s often animosity between sparring partners who find themselves fighting in the same division, that certainly isn’t the case with him and Sterling.
“We don’t hurt each other so that’s a good thing… There’s no ego bro, some of these guys try to hurt each other but we’re just trying to work, that’s all we care about is getting better and Aljo has never had that ego.
“In fact, there’s been several punches and kicks where he could have put me out, or hit me with a knee and he pulls it at the end… He’s a great training partner.”
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Sterling was dripping with sweat after sparring ‘Thug Nasty’, later revealing that such intense sessions are slowly giving him the self-assurance that he can out-grapple anyone in the division.
“The last fight gave me confidence because it’s not like I’m weaker, I feel just as strong and that’s the main thing… It’s like a mental relief so now I can go out and take more risk; especially because he’s a grappler right?
“It’s going to make for a fun fight… I want to take him down first and put him on his back first to see how he responds – if not, I’ll just punch him in his face a couple of times and whoop his ass.”
Should Sterling hand Evloev his first professional loss at the T-Mobile Arena in December, he’ll be one step closer to facing champion Ilia Topuria for the featherweight title.
Reacting to Topuria’s recent knockout of Max Holloway, Sterling teased that he’s got the skills and strategy to earn himself a second UFC belt.
“If I were to fight him, God willing, I beat Movsar and I do get the crack, I do think I have a great style to neutralize his offense – bro, most of these guys are striking with him, I ain’t doing that.
“We’re sitting there looking for a takedown, I have to make it a grappling match… I’m trying to get the W; I’m not trying to get my brain and my head sent to the next dimension again.”
Sterling vs Evloev goes down on the main card of UFC 310, scheduled for December 7.