Ali Akbar RosadyThe Ultimate Fighting Championship’s featherweight division has been thrust into the spotlight following a recent announcement by UFC CEO Dana White, which has ignited a fervent debate among fighters and fans alike regarding the criteria for title contention. Among the most vocal critics is former Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, who has expressed profound confusion and frustration over the booking of a rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes for the featherweight title at UFC 325 in February.
The controversial pairing, revealed during a flurry of Thanksgiving announcements, posits Volkanovski defending his featherweight championship against Lopes in a return bout. This decision has been met with immediate and widespread backlash, primarily because, as detailed in the official announcement, Volkanovski reportedly defeated Lopes in a prior encounter in April to claim a vacant title, winning by a clear decision. This premise, as presented in the UFC’s statement, forms the core of Sterling’s criticism, who struggles to comprehend the rationale behind granting a fighter an immediate rematch after what was described as a decisive loss.
"He’s getting the next shot. Again!" Sterling exclaimed on his YouTube channel, his voice conveying a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "He’s being allowed to get a rematch with Volkanovski, a guy who just beat him in his last fight. Volk hasn’t fought since then." Sterling highlighted the perceived incongruity of the situation, noting that typically, immediate rematches are reserved for exceptionally close contests, highly controversial decisions, or fights that end in a draw. The narrative surrounding the alleged first fight, however, suggested a one-sided affair in favor of Volkanovski. "I’m not mad at it for Diego Lopes. Dude, if you get an opportunity to fight for gold again, in a matchup where if you can land that big punch, which he was able to clip Volk in the first fight, but for the most part, it was pretty much a masterclass on one side. So that’s my point: if it was a close fight, I could get it. But you just lost."
Sterling further dissected Lopes’ recent competitive record, scrutinizing his most recent victory. "You did beat a guy who I don’t think was ranked Top 10. That’s no knock on Jean. Everybody knows who Jean Silva is. That guy is a dog." While acknowledging Jean Silva’s reputation as a formidable and exciting fighter, Sterling questioned whether a win over an unranked opponent, however popular, was sufficient justification for an immediate title rematch, especially following a clear loss to the champion. Lopes secured a significant victory over Jean Silva, a rising prospect known for his aggressive style, in what was considered a high-octane bout. This win undoubtedly boosted Lopes’ profile and highlighted his exciting fighting approach. However, from Sterling’s perspective, it did not erase the memory of the alleged decisive loss to Volkanovski nor did it warrant bypassing other established contenders.
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The featherweight division currently boasts a deep roster of elite talent, with several fighters having built compelling cases for a championship opportunity through sustained success and impressive performances. Contenders such as Lerone Murphy (13-0-1 MMA, 5-0-1 UFC), an undefeated British fighter with a string of dominant victories, and Movsar Evloev (18-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), another undefeated prospect known for his suffocating grappling and relentless pressure, are widely considered to be at the forefront of the title picture. Both Murphy and Evloev have methodically climbed the rankings, accumulating significant wins against top-tier opponents. Murphy’s recent wins include impressive performances over Edson Barboza and Joshua Culibao, showcasing his striking and well-rounded game. Evloev, meanwhile, has consistently outpointed and controlled elite opposition, including a decisive victory over Lopes himself in May 2023 at UFC 288, and more recently, a dominant win over Arnold Allen.
Aljamain Sterling himself, a former UFC Bantamweight Champion (23-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC), made a high-profile move to the featherweight division after losing his bantamweight title to Sean O’Malley. His featherweight debut saw him secure a dominant unanimous decision victory over the highly respected Calvin Kattar at UFC 300, a win that immediately placed him within the top echelon of the 145-pound weight class. Sterling’s own aspirations in the division, coupled with his proven championship pedigree, lend significant weight to his critique of the current title shot selection process. His experience at the highest level of the sport gives him a unique vantage point from which to evaluate the integrity of the ranking system and the path to gold.
The perceived bypass of these highly deserving contenders for a fighter who, according to the original announcement, recently lost decisively to the champion, has fueled the contention that the UFC’s decision-making process is increasingly influenced by factors beyond pure athletic merit. Sterling articulated this concern bluntly: "It’s a big win. I get that. But he just fought the champ, lost to the champ in what was pretty one-sided, he gets a big win over a very, very popular dude who might have catapulted and leapfrogged everybody had he beaten Diego Lopes, the guy who just fought for the title. I’m just trying to make it make sense in my head."
Sterling is not alone in his bewilderment. Reports indicate that even Alexander Volkanovski and his team expressed surprise at the rematch announcement. Volkanovski, a fighter renowned for his willingness to take on all challengers, had reportedly been lobbying for fights against several other top contenders in the division, signaling that this specific matchup was not his primary target. This further suggests that the decision originated from the promotion’s executive level rather than being a consensus pick based on competitive merit.
For Sterling, the reasoning behind the UFC’s move is clear, albeit disconcerting for purists of the sport. "I get what they’re trying to do," Sterling stated, delving into what he perceives as the underlying commercial strategy. "They’re trying to get us a champion that can represent Mexico, and pretty much Brazil, too. It’s just, what is the criteria? That is all I want to know." Sterling’s remarks touch upon a long-standing observation within the MMA community: the UFC’s strategic emphasis on marketability and global expansion. The promotion has made significant inroads into Latin American markets, cultivating champions like Brandon Moreno, Yair Rodriguez, and Alexa Grasso from Mexico, and Alex Pereira and Charles Oliveira from Brazil, to capitalize on vast fan bases. Lopes, with his Brazilian heritage and exciting fighting style, undoubtedly possesses significant market appeal, particularly in these key regions.
Sterling believes this business model is overshadowing the foundational principle of competitive integrity that once defined the UFC. "I just want something that, when we come into this sport — I’m now 36. I came into this sport when I was 24, and merit used to mean something for the most part. The UFC used to be the organization [where] the best fight the best." He lamented a perceived shift in the promotion’s philosophy: "Now it’s, ‘Are you the most popular guy? Because if you’re the most popular guy and you can fight just a little bit, we’ll throw you in there. As long as you can fight a little bit and beat some of the best guys, or beat some favorable matchups that people might know, but it’s enough for you to get a highlight win, we’ll put you in that spot. And hopefully, if you’re lucky, we’ll cash out.’"
This sentiment resonates with many long-time fans and athletes who argue that the UFC, once celebrated for its commitment to pitting the absolute best against the best, is increasingly prioritizing commercial viability and entertainment value over a strict adherence to rankings and fighter deservingness. The "eat what you kill" ethos, a mantra often preached within combat sports, feels hollow to fighters like Sterling when opportunities are seemingly granted based on factors external to competitive performance. "I get the business model of it, but as the athlete… it doesn’t make any sense. Because we come in, we are told the best guys will fight the best guys. ‘You eat what you kill.’ Well, how can you kill something if you’re not given the opportunity? How can you kill something if every time the opportunity is there, it’s given to someone else?"
The backlash from the broader MMA community has been substantial, with social media platforms and fan forums alight with discussions echoing Sterling’s concerns. Many fans have expressed disappointment, feeling that such decisions undermine the credibility of the sport and disincentivize fighters from diligently climbing the ranks.
Sterling delivered a pointed message to those who might defend the UFC’s decision, invoking some of CEO Dana White’s most iconic phrases. "If the fans are siding with the UFC on this, you’re basically siding with the option that merit doesn’t mean anything. That’s like saying the NBA teams, the Golden State Warriors, because they have Steph Curry and all these other big names, that they should always go to the finals and get a chance to play for gold, because they’re the team favorites. Doesn’t matter if they lost. Bro, make it make sense, is all I’m trying to ask. So we know what we at least need to do."
He concluded his impassioned critique by directly challenging the UFC’s long-standing claims about its distinction from boxing, a sport often criticized for its political machinations and perceived reluctance to make the most anticipated matchups. “‘The best fight the best’ — I’m using the words from the boss. ‘We make the fights the fans want to see. This is not boxing.’ Guys, this shit is turning into fcking boxing. This shit is turning into fing boxing, and you’re seeing it right now." Sterling’s stark comparison underscores the depth of his concern, suggesting that the UFC risks eroding the very principles that propelled it to global prominence if it continues down a path perceived to prioritize spectacle and market appeal over the unadulterated pursuit of competitive excellence. The upcoming UFC 325 main event will undoubtedly be watched with heightened scrutiny, not just for the action inside the octagon, but for its implications on the future direction of title contention in the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion.
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