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Aljamain Sterling has never lacked confidence.
The charismatic weight of Long Island bantamweight has long been one of the most charismatic and showy fighters of 135 pounds. With an unparalleled sense of fashion for stellar microphone work, the UFC resident Funkmaster has established itself as one of the most popular pawns on its list.
Oh yes, and it turns out he's also one of the most talented pugilists on planet Earth.
It's never been more obvious than Sterling's dominant performance against Pedro Munhoz in UFC 238 on Saturday. Featuring stellar head movement, rapid love at first sight and world-class cardio, Sterling crossed Munhoz to expand his four-game winning streak in the octagon.
So, what's next for Sterling?
Well, if he wants to, he will go with Henry Cejudo, the most recent UFC champion, who won the vacant bantamweight title with a violent TKO over Marlon Moraes.
"I think I have all the talent in the world to compete with Henry," Sterling told Luke Thomas during an appearance at MMA time. "Henry is a hard guy, man. I think he is today the greatest fighting athlete pound to pound. Nobody did what he could do. But I will say it when I beat him 'Henry Cedoodo', what does it do to me? The king delivers to book. That's what I'm looking for for my next title. So go out, fight Henry and I think I can win this title.
"I have too much time, I have too much panic, I can box, I can type, I can fight, I can do jiu-jitsu. So where does he win? I like my chances in that one. "
But what distinguishes Sterling from the past opponents of Cejudo? After all, the Olympic gold medalist has already defeated Demetrious Johnson, the former pound-a-pound, and former leanweight leader, T.J. Dillashaw. What Sterling skills could he possess if these former sports giants were missing?
For Sterling, it's funk.
"I bring funk," Sterling said. "It's a different style. Even when I teach my MAM classes at the gym, it's hard to teach what I'm doing. It is more a state of flux, a state of sensation. It's not a robotic thing like one, two, three, one kick, one, two, three, change, jab, cross. It's completely unorthodox. It's all about rhythm, tempo and rhythm. It's a different style, man. When you take into account the struggle, the difficulties, jiu-jitsu, I think that I am a difficult confrontation in this division for anyone.
As for Cejudo who calls former champions Dominick Cruz, Cody Garbrandt and Urijah Faber, as well as the entire featherweight division, in his post-fight interview, Sterling recognizes exactly what the champion of his division is trying to do.
"Because he wants to be the Legend Killer," he laughed, "Oh God, do you want to fight guys who have not won a fight in God knows how long? I do not know if he's scared or – I can not call him scared because he fought some of the meanest men in the history of our weight class. But to call the guys, how not to have won a fight for three years or the guys who are coming out of retirement and who are 40 when you have young hungry competitors who deserve a shot, I think something is wrong with that. "
However, a scenario that Sterling himself admitted to having left out the possibility that Cejudo is back to flyweight to defend his other title. The 125-pound division having no pretentious number one, it may be necessary to place the bantamweight division while the welterweight's fight to win the title.
Recognizing this, Sterling admits he hopes his latest win will propel him to the front row.
"For some reason, I've always thought that he should defend his 135 title because he would not have to lose as much weight," Sterling said. "But for the moment, I do not have a specific candidate in number at 125. Maybe Joseph Benavidez? They have already fought and he has a victory over Henry. Maybe Jussier Formiga? But these guys are fighting. So, depending on the results, it will depend on the most intriguing match. I hope it is me. Hopefully they're fighting each other boringly. That's what I hope. I hope I have done enough to impress the UFC officials. "
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