Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Aljamain Sterling Frustrated Over Five-Round Fight With No Extra Pay

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Binoy | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 1:20 PM ET

When fighters move up a weight class, the spotlight naturally follows them, and that’s been the case for Aljamain Sterling. The former bantamweight champ has been testing the waters at 145 pounds, picking up some solid wins but also taking a few bumps along the way.

Now, he’s set to face off against former title challenger Brian Ortega this weekend at UFC Shanghai — a fight that’s already got fans buzzing. But while most people are focused on how these two will match up inside the Octagon, Sterling’s biggest gripe heading into fight week has nothing to do with Ortega at all. Instead, it’s the fine print of the fight contract that’s left him frustrated.

Talking about the matchup, Sterling pointed out how unusual it is that his fight has been booked for five rounds even though it’s only the co-main event. He added, “Yeah, I don’t know why it's five rounds. I don’t know if Brian Ortega is the one who asked for five rounds. Five-round main events if you’re not the champion you get an extra pay incentive. So I am kind of annoyed because I am not getting extra pay for five rounds.”

Aljamain Sterling isn't thrilled his fight against Brian Ortega at #UFCShanghai is 5 rounds:

"I’m kind of annoyed because we’re not getting extra pay for five rounds."

(: @mikeHeck_JR) pic.twitter.com/pFY1qwRbLn
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) August 20, 2025

Sterling admitted he’s pretty annoyed about the whole thing, saying five rounds means an extra 10 minutes of both training and fighting without any extra pay. He also seemed puzzled about how the decision was made, even wondering if Ortega specifically asked for it, before pointing out that they both share the same manager.

Aljamain Sterling to Hang Up His Boots Soon?

Aljamain Sterling has never been afraid to poke fun at himself. When asked how he’d like fans to remember him, he smirked and said he hopes people see him as “the greatest actor ever to fight in the UFC” — a playful jab at the criticism he faced after winning his first belt by disqualification against Petr Yan back in 2021.

That moment may still follow him around, but Sterling’s career has been much bigger than a single controversy. He’s a former champion with more than a decade in the UFC, a veteran who’s battled through injuries, tough matchups and plenty of skepticism.

Now at 36, heading into a fight with Ortega in Shanghai, he admits the end of his career isn’t far off. But he’s not interested in sticking around just to collect checks. Sterling wants to be remembered as the guy who fought everyone, earned everything the hard way and left behind a legacy built on grit rather than favors.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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