MMA News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Alexander Volkanovski speaking to Joe Rogan at UFC 314. Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Former UFC champ demands Alexander Volkanovski fight, claims top contender not next in line

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow
By Christopher De Santiago | Last updated Sep 14, 2025 1:24 AM ET

There’s more than one option for Alexander Volkanovski’s next title defense.

It’s an interesting time at 145 lbs as Volkanovski rules over the featherweight division once again, with new contenders emerging.

Volkanovski reclaimed his title after back-to-back KO losses to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria by defeating Diego Lopes in the main event of UFC 314.

While Volkanovski had, at one point, looked to the undefeated Movsar Evloev as his next title challenger, the champion said he expected to face Lerone Murphy after his spinning elbow KO of Aaron Pico at UFC 319 last month.

Despite this, and Murphy saying ‘It’s on!’ between him and Volkanovski on Saturday night, another top contender is shooting his shot at the UFC title.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

‘Lerone Murphy isn’t next…’ Aljamain Sterling says he’s training for Alexander Volkanovksi

Aljamain Sterling is one of the greatest bantamweights in UFC history.

The former UFC champion recently cracked the top-5 of the featherweight division with a decision win over two-time title challenger Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai, fighting through the championship rounds with a ‘living nightmare’ arm injury.

Sterling may not be coming off a spinning elbow KO like Murphy or Lopes, but the credentialed fighter says his resume speaks for itself when on the topic of a potential title opportunity.

“Just give me my shot!!” Sterling wrote on X on Saturday night, adding that he’s back to training as of today.

Just give me my shot!!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 14, 2025

“Murphy isn’t next,” Sterling said of the #4 UFC featherweight.

“We will see what the UFC thinks in 1-2 weeks. I’ll be training and I’ll be ready just in case,” Sterling added.

“They said I have no striking, I shut them up. They said this guy and that guy will “spark” me, I shut them up. I’ve always been the underdog and I continue to show up. I didn’t go 12-0 and set the bantamweight record for wins and title defences because I got hand outs.

“RUN IT!” said Sterling.

They said I have no striking, I shut them up. They said this guy and that guy will “spark” me, I shut them up. I’ve always been the underdog and I continue to show up. I didn’t go 12-0 and set the bantamweight record for wins and title defences because I got hand outs RUN IT!…
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 14, 2025

Aljamain Sterling reacts to Diego Lopes’ spinning elbow KO over Jean Silva

It was on a spinning elbow attempt that Sterling injured himself in his last fight against Ortega.

The 36-year-old had a hilarious reaction to Lopes knocking out Silva with a spinning elbow, which Silva tried several times in the fight himself.

“Spinning elbows drops guys for everyone but me,” Sterling joked.

“It seems only I could get injured from a clean spinning elbow…”

BARKED UP THE WRONG TREE TONIGHT @DiegoLopesMMA gets the MASSIVE finish in the main event!

[ #NocheUFC | LIVE on the @ESPN app ] pic.twitter.com/KMXYnCvuwH
— UFC (@ufc) September 14, 2025

“Great performance by Lopes,” Sterling said after the Noche UFC headliner.

“But respectfully, I believe I’m the best and I’m willing to prove it. I’m a former champ and will be a champ again before I retire,” Sterling vowed.

Sterling also said he’s willing to fight former interim champion Yair Rodriguez in a potential title eliminator.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: