Movsar Evloev decisions Aljamain Sterling in grappling heavy match

Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling continued his attempt to climb the featherweight ranks on Saturday when he faced undefeated fifth-ranked Movsar Evloev on the UFC 310 preliminary fight card.  

After losing the bantamweight title to Sean O'Malley and being tired of cutting so much weight to make the 135-pound limit, Sterling made the move to the featherweight division and picked up his first win in the weight class at UFC 300.  Looking to build off the win over Calvin Kattar, Sterling faced a tough 145-pound challenge.  

Evloev entered the fight with an unblemished record and ranked fifth in the division.  His last three wins were over Arnold Allen, Diego Lopes and Dan Ige.  

Sterling pressed forward to start the fight.  He landed a right hand followed by a leg kick.  Evloev began inching forward and was met with a kick to the body.  Sterling landed a right hand and changed levels looking to get the fight to the ground.  He briefly got Evloev to the canvas.  Evloev made his way to the fence but Sterling worked to take his back.  

With 90 seconds remaining in the round, Sterling had Evloev's back.  Evloev rolled and stood but Sterling remained with him and slammed him back to the canvas.  A scramble ensured and Evloev took Sterling's back and drug him to the ground.  Sterling desperately tried to get off the bottom and the round ended in the middle of another scramble.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Sterling.

Sterling quickly took Evloev down in the early going of the second frame.  The two scrambled for position and Evloev eventually gained side control.  Sterling gave up his back.  He exploded free and the worked for position standing along the cage.  They separated and Evloev connected with a right hand.  He caught a kick from Sterling and countered with a hard right hand.  Evloev gained top position on the ground.  Sterling rolled to his knees and Evloev took his back.  Sterling scrambled and worked to get Evloev down.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Evloev.  

They opted to stand and strike in beginning of the third.  Evloev went for a spinning back fist that missed and Sterling quickly took the fight to the ground.  Evloev stood but Sterling slammed him back to the canvas.  Evloev stood again but Sterling kept the pressure on.  Sterling delivered shoulder strikes in the clinch.  Sterling power Evloev to the ground.  The scrambled and Evloev gained top position.  Sterling moved his back to the fence.  Evloev delivered short punches and Sterling stood.  Evloev took his back.  Sterling was unable to get off his back.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Evloev.    

The judges scored the fight for Evloev via unanimous decision.  All three scorecards read 29-8.  With the win, Evloev extended his unbeaten streak to 19 fights.