Ray Longo doubts Aljamain Sterling will get the next UFC featherweight title shot – even though he thinks he’s earned it.
Sterling (25-5 MMA, 17-5 UFC) is coming off a decisive win over former title challenger Brian Ortega in the UFC Fight Night 257 co-headliner in Shanghai. The ex-UFC bantamweight champion is ready for his shot at the title but is also willing to fight Diego Lopes, who’s fresh off a knockout over Jean Silva in Saturday’s Noche UFC main event.
Longo thinks Sterling’s resume warrants a title shot but expects him to have to win one more fight.
“I think Aljo one million percent deserves the fight,” Longo said on the “Anik & Florian Podcast.” “I don’t think he’ll get the fight. If I’m Aljo, I’m licking my chops at this point. He’s in a really good spot. Look, Aljo, he’s an intelligent dude. He makes his case. Former champion, he basically hasn’t lost at 145. I mean, that Movsar fight was razor thin, could have went either direction. They had that guy as the top of the top. So, what are we talking about? Give the guy a title shot.
“Again, the way they handled him at 135, I just can’t see them (UFC) giving the guy a shot that I really think he deserves at this point. But he definitely deserves a shot. Lerone Murphy deserves a shot too, but there’s a lot of great fights you can make.”
Lerone Murphy, who knocked out Aaron Pico at UFC 319, laughed off the idea of Sterling’s name being in the title picture. Sterling fired back at the Brit.
“You beat a Bellator guy brodie, ran circles from Emmett, and have 2 finishes your whole UFC career. I’m a 3x defending former champ, beat a 2x title challenger, almost 3x the UFC wins than you. Brother, I am next. My name makes perfect sense and I can show you a miracle.”
