Sterling starts life as UFC featherweight on winning note

UNITED STATES-born Jamaican UFC fighter Aljamain ‘Funk Master’ Sterling’s featherweight debut brought with it a bittersweet victory.

Sterling registered a decision victory over striking specialist Calvin Kattar at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday night, but would have much preferred to have earned a knockout.

Still, Sterling say he is pleased to have got a victory over a dangerous fighter like Katter.

“I was happy but a little disappointed as I wanted to get a finish. If I want to fight for a title again, I have to ensure that I win in impressive style as that’s what the UFC wants. This was my debut and I think I had a dominant performance over a guy who Max Halloway couldn’t finish and he is one of the baddest guys out there,” said Sterling.

The 34-year-old Sterling, who was born to Jamaican parents, is a former bantamweight champion. He argued that heading into the fight, he was wary of the possible threat Katter posed, leading to him switching to grappling, much to the dismay of fans.

“He’s a very tough opponent and a very dangerous guy. If you watch his highlights, he’s known to knock his opponents out and lift opponents off their feet whenever he hits them. I saw those highlights and said there’s no way I can allow him to hit me like that, so I had to do what was needed to win,” he said.

In addition, Sterling was a nervous man headed into the fight.

“This is the most nervous I’ve been for a fight in a very long time, even more than the last couple of fights that I had which were main events. I was aware of the things he was doing to other fighters and also with the fact that I was coming into a new weight class,” said Sterling.

Sterling believes he belongs in the featherweight division and already has his eye on the keys to a title shot.

“One thousand percent I’m staying at the featherweight division. The next guy I think that makes the most sense for me is Brian Ortega. He’s ranked at number two and if I beat him, then I should be next in line for a title fight.”

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com