LAS VEGAS – Things didn’t go to Aljamain Sterling’s liking this past 2025, but he’s hoping for change in 2026.
Sterling (20-5 MMA, 17-5 UFC), a former UFC bantamweight champion, is looking to stay active, as he enters the final chapters of his fighting career. Sterling only fought once in 2025, defeating Brian Ortega in a unanimous decision in August.
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Although he’s happy with the win, Sterling wished he had fought more than once.
“I’m just here for a good time,” Sterling told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “I don’t have much time left in the tank, so I got to get it going if I want to try to get another belt. I have to start now. I hope they don’t ice me again like they did last year. One fight for the year, that was tough. I would like to get two or three this year. That’s the goal.”
Looking at what may come next, Sterling isn’t sure what will happen, but he did dismiss a potential fight with Yousef Zalal, at least in the immediate. He just hopes to get busy soon against a top contender, so he can inch closer to a featherweight title shot.
“There were rumblings,” Sterling said when asked about the Zalal rumors. “Me and Zalal are boys, so I hit him up, and I was like, ‘They’re doing us dirty, what’s up with this? They said they weren’t going to make the match, and now they’re making the match.’ But he can’t fight in April anyway because of Ramadam, so I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m kind of the odd man out. Because of the rematch I would’ve loves to have fought Lerone or Evloev rematch, but here we are – even a Diego Lopes, and even Yair, but he’s injured right now. Maybe that’s the matchup that they make.”
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There could be a big shift in Sterling’s division Saturday at UFC 325. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanosvki defends his belt in a rematch against dangerous contender Diego Lopes. The result of the title bout could have an effect on Sterling’s career step.
“I would imagine so,” Sterling said regarding his next fight being dependent on the UFC 325 result. “I would like to see Volkanovski win, one of the OGs get it done again. But to win two times in a row against a guy who punches hard like Lopes, it’s a tough as, especially where Volks is in his career. I can see Lopes getting it done, but I’m pulling for Volk, and let the best man win. I’ll be there waiting.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Aljamain Sterling wants activity in 2026: ‘Hope they don’t ice me’
