Coach says Aljamain Sterling ‘one million percent’ deserves UFC title shot: ‘Basically hasn’t lost’

Ray Longo says ‘basically’ undefeated Aljamain Sterling deserves next title fight

Sterling is 2-1 against the UFC featherweight division, with his only loss a closely-contested unanimous decision to the undefeated No. 1 contender Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 last December.

Prior to moving to 145 lbs, Sterling had one of the best resumes in UFC bantamweight history, along with teammate Merab Dvalishvili. ‘Funkmaster’ still holds the record for most title defenses in the division’s history (3).

A coach to both, Ray Longo, says Sterling should be next in line for the featherweight title.

“I think Aljo one million percent deserves the fight,” Longo said on the Anik & Florian Podcast.

“I don’t think he’ll get the fight. If I’m Aljo, I’m licking my chops at this point,” Longo continued.

“He’s in a really good spot. Look, Aljo, he’s an intelligent dude. He makes his case. Former champion.

“He basically hasn’t lost at 145,” Longo claimed.

“I mean, that Movsar fight was razor thin, could have went either direction. They had that guy as the top of the top. So, what are we talking about?

“Give the guy a title shot,” Longo said of Sterling.

“Again, the way they handled him at 135…. I just can’t see [UFC] doing, giving the guy a shot that I really think he deserves at this point. But he definitely deserves a shot,” Longo said, adding Murphy also deserves a shot after his spinning back elbow KO of Aaron Pico.

Movsar Evloev says he’s the man to dethrone Alexander Volkanovski

We haven’t heard all that much from Movsar Evloev in recent months, until now.

Evloev was supposed to welcome Aaron Pico to the UFC at UFC Abu Dhabi in July, but the No. 1 contender withdrew from the bout.

Evloev is undefeated at 19-0, with a slew of decision wins and lack of finishes in the UFC likely to blame for him not getting a title fight against Volkanovski.

“I’m the only guy who can beat Volk right now,” Evloev wrote on Monday.

“But if I have to fight Lerone or Diego then I have no problem doing it,” Evloev added.

“I beat Diego Lopes, Arnold Allen and Aljamain Sterling very easy. Nobody deserves anything and if any of them want to fight me again I have no problem,” said Evloev.