Aljamain Sterling isn’t exactly feeling the love from the UFC, but he’s hoping that will change.
In April, Sterling won a split victory over Petr Yan to defend his bantamweight title at UFC 273.. It was a vindicating win for Sterling, who received enormous criticism for the way he took the belt from Yan a year after winning by disqualification at UFC 256. Sterling said that he is still a little disappointed with UFC.
“Sometimes I feel like, for lack of better terms, the cliche, the red-headed stepchild,” Sterling said this week on The MMA Hour. “Sometimes I do [feel like that]. It’s not with everybody in the UFC. There are certain people who probably have the greatest impact. It’s sometimes not the most pleasant feeling to be on the other side but I take it all in stride. No matter what, I will do my best. But I just don’t feel like I get the push like maybe some others do. Maybe I just think in my head .”
Sterling’s thoughts are not entirely his own. UFC President Dana White stated that Yan won the fight and that Sterling was “blown that one” by the judges. Sterling considered this a “slap in his face.”
Sterling, on the other hand, isn’t certain if this plays any role or just how the cookie crumbles.
” If you asked the brass they would probably say no. But then again I don’t really know. I’m just here rolling with the punches,” Sterling said. That’s the best I can say. It’s difficult to understand what they are thinking. It’s hard to know their thoughts, at least in the UFC’s upper ranks. The best you can hope for is they love you, so that you are in their good graces. That’s really all there is to it. You should do your job well and get paid handsomely
While Sterling may not be as well-rewarded as some, “Funk Master” said he “makes good money” and previously revealed he made $400,000 for his rematch with Yan. He said that he is working to improve his relationship with Yan.
“I’m trying. Sterling stated, “I’m trying.”
“I’ve been trying. I know the guys are busy and the world doesn’t just stop for me, but hopefully we get things figured out and kind of figure out the working relationship, because at the end of the day, we’re all business partners. They want me to make more money and I want them help me to make more. That’s how I see a partnership .”
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Sterling has a chance to do just that this October when he faces two-time bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw in the co-main event of UFC 280.
