Aljamain Sterling wants to fight again in June 2023 after retaining the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight belt against TJ Dillashaw in October. He points this out in a recent post on social networks, in which he mentions several possible opponents: Sean O’Malley, Marlon Chito Vera, Cory Sandhagen and former champion Henry Cejudo.
O’Malley is currently number one in the ranking, Vera is the fourth and Sandhagen, the sixth. While Cejudo has been retired from mixed martial arts (MMA, acronym in English) since May 2020, but in recent weeks the Olympic wrestling champion and two-time UFC champion in different divisions has captured the attention of the press leaving glimpse a possible return to the octagon.
Is it time for ‘Chito’ Vera to challenge Aljamain Sterling for the UFC bantamweight title?
The Ecuadorian has not been left behind. Given the new order in the 135-pound rankings following O’Malley’s thud at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, Marlon Chito Vera has pointed all her media apparatus of social networks towards Sterling.
The thing is Chito Vera is coming from being one of the strongest contenders in the division. The athlete from Chone (Manabí) has won four of the last five fights in the UFC, losing only to José Aldo, who is the company’s history after announcing his retirement from MMA.
Important voices like that of the Mexican journalist from ESPN Sports Carlos Contreras Legaspi point out that a duel between Vera and the champion Aljamain Sterling “makes more sense than ever” and is justified because the Ecuadorian comes “more solid among the applicants.”
“The knockout of Chito on Dominick Cruz seems the most convincing and the champion is open to all possibilities”, indicates Contreras in a note from ESPN Sports published in October.
“Let’s do it anytime,” says a defiant message from Vera posted on October 23 on her Twitter account, after being mentioned by Sterling.
Chito again challenged Sterling through a tweet on November 2, in which he notes: “Ok what date works for you @funkmasterMMA?
The Jamaican American responded: “I said June, but I’m sure I’ll be looking forward to racing again before then. I really don’t care who. If Dana (White) says, you, then it’s done.”
The conversation did not end there. The South American insisted: “Let’s do it! Trust me, I’ll make you remember.”
“That’s why I do this sport! After I crush you, maybe we’ll have beers”, was the response of the bantamweight champion.
Vera did not remain silent, and warned: “I am going to finish you off.”
Sterling, who has a record of 22 wins and 3 losses, and has been riding an eight-fight win streak in his last appearances in the UFC, has been very specific about his future in the promotion. On his YouTube channel, he has expressed his desire to take a break until June 2023 at least.
“Maybe I want to come back sooner, but from now on I don’t want to fight until June. I think that is more than enough time to get all the things I need going and focus on the fight,” he assured.
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Source: Eluniverso
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