Aljamain Sterling envisions title shot with featherweight debut win

Could a featherweight title shot be in the near future for former bantamweight titleholder Aljamain Sterling?  He believes so.  

Sterling (23-4) makes his featherweight debut on the historic UFC 300 fight card against eighth-ranked Calvin Kattar (23-7).  With the bantamweight division in his rearview mirror, Sterling is looking to make an immediate impact in the 145-pound weight class.  

“Ten extra pounds, that’s a game changer,” Sterling said during an appearance on The MMA Hour.  “I feel like I lose a lot when I get down to from 45 to 35.  I feel like the best parts of me are left in the gym because I deplete myself so much.”

With a win at UFC 300, Sterling believes that he could get a title shot in the new weight class, especially if Alexander Volkanovski retains the title against Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 on Feb. 17.  

“I want to see how far I can push this thing now.  I hit all my goals.  Now is how high I can go.  How many more mountains can I climb and see what I can do before it’s all said and done,” said Sterling.  

“I’m excited because Calvin is a badass, and I’m also excited because I’d like to see what I can do at this weight class,” continued Sterling.  “I think if I beat him and I beat him in good fashion I think – and by no means am I saying I’m running through him.  I have no idea what’s going to happen.  I can’t predict the future.  All I can do is be as confident as I know I can be and know I put the God d*mn work in, and I’m going to be doing that – If I beat him the way that I think I’m capable of doing I think I’m right next in line for a title shot.

“I don’t think that’s too far-fetched of a thing.  If you look at the guys at the top, they’ve already fought for the belt.  If Volkanovski wins again I think that the door is wide open.”