Aljamain Sterling’s post-fight interview at UFC Shanghai has caused a stir.
Sterling was among the biggest names on display at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in China, as MMA’s leading promotion staged fights in the country for the first time in 2025.
Before Johnny Walker knocked out Zhang Mingyang in the main event to send the local fans home unhappy, Sterling defeated Brian Ortega in their five-round contest, which became a catchweight bout on late notice owing to the former featherweight title challenger’s weight struggles.
‘Funk Master’ was largely dominant at Shanghai Indoor Stadium, winning all five rounds on every scorecard to return to winning ways. And while he’s not yet back on a winning streak, that did not stop Sterling from boldly calling for a title shot.
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Fans shut down Aljamain Sterling’s title hopes after UFC Shanghai
The former bantamweight champion called for an opportunity at Alexander Volkanovski during his Octagon interview. After Volkanovski beat Diego Lopes at UFC 314 this past April to become a two-time champion, the Australian has been on the hunt for the first challenger of his sophomore reign.
Given Sterling’s loss to Movsar Evloev late last year, his name appeared to be out of the discussion until Saturday’s remarks. The fan reaction would suggest that not many are expecting Dana White or the UFC to entertain his plea…
“If Sterling wants a title fight in his new weight class this isn’t how you do it.”
“Aljamain Sterling really thinks Dana White is gonna give a title fight vs. Volkanovski after that clown show against a zombie Ortega.”
“He’s literally on a 1 fight win streak. Murphy has to be next if there’s any justice in the world.”
“Legitimately a 0% chance.”
“Yeah, Aljamain Sterling is not getting a title shot off that performance. He can fight the Diego Lopes/Jean Silva winner.”
“Aljo I’m sorry but Dana White would rather die than give you a title shot off of that.”
Sterling has had a tumultuous relationship with the UFC higher-ups, which appeared fractured when he blamed a forced turnaround soon after beating Henry Cejudo on his title loss to Sean O’Malley in August 2022.
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But Sterling was not without some backing from the MMA community.
“Sterling deserves the title shot way more than Murphy, just saying. There’s more for the legacy in that matchup as well.”
“Knowing what he went through on fight week, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it happening.”
“Volk was a good callout. Sterling has definitely earned another title shot.”
Alexander Volkanovski’s expected next challenger reacted to Aljamain Sterling’s plea
It’s clear which side of the debate Lerone Murphy falls on.
Murphy staked his claim with a UFC 319 knockout that caught Volkanovski’s attention. The Australian pointed to the Englishman as his likely next challenger, and ‘The Miracle’ does not seem to feel under threat after Sterling’s performance.
“LOL,” Murphy posted on X.
A spinning back elbow that put Aaron Pico unconscious in Chicago extended Murphy’s undefeated record to 17-0-1. It also brought an end to Murphy’s KO drought that was approaching four years.