Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling is gunning for another title run in what he calls the “final chapter” of his career, and he just named the guy he thinks is perfect to get him there: Lerone Murphy. Sterling, who’s won three of his past four bouts, isn’t wasting time and he knows exactly who he needs to face next.
Sterling: “The Highest-Ranked Guy” Is the Only Way Back
Sterling, at 26-5 in MMA and 18-5 in the UFC, isn’t shy about his goals. He’s 36, turning 37 this month, so the clock is ticking and he wants the quickest path back to gold. He recently shut down Youssef Zalal’s eight-fight win streak in April at UFC Fight Night 274, proving he’s still a serious contender. While three names were tossed his way for his next opponent, Sterling told Ignition Poker that Murphy is the clear choice. He put it plainly, Murphy is “the highest-ranked guy” and the one who will get him to a title shot “the fastest.” It’s a respect thing, Sterling noted, with Murphy being both English and Jamaican, not animosity. Even if Diego Lopes is higher ranked, Sterling isn’t sure they’d give him that fight, especially with Lopes possibly moving up a weight class. He’s even okay with a Jean Silva fight, though he warns Silva is “a tougher fight than people realize.” But let’s be real: Murphy is the target.
What Sterling Found “Baffling” About Murphy’s Only Loss
Lerone Murphy, holding a solid 17-1-1 MMA record (9-1-1 UFC), only has one blemish on his professional record. That lone loss came in a “razor-thin” majority decision to Movsar Evloev back in March at UFC Fight Night 270. And guess what? Sterling found the outcome of that fight absolutely baffling. Evloev actually had a point deducted in Round 4 for an illegal groin strike, yet still walked away with the win. How wild is that? It gets better: 17 media members submitted scores for that fight to MMA Decisions, and *not a single one* scored it in favor of Evloev. The majority of those folks actually ruled it a draw! That kind of controversial loss just shows you the level of competition Murphy brings to the table.
What’s next for Sterling? He’s laid out his cards, making it clear he wants Murphy to fast-track his path back to the top. This isn’t just another fight, it’s a strategic move for a former champ looking to cement his legacy before calling it a career. You can bet fans are already buzzing for this potential showdown.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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