Aljamain Sterling doesn’t regret in any way how things went, from start to finish.
UFC 259 took place on Saturday, when the now Sterling champion (20-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) challenged Petr Yan, the then starter, for the UFC rooster belt. Despite the unusual (and controversial, in the eyes of some) disqualification of round 4 that earned him the title, Sterling has no problem in his way of driving during or after the fight.
Adjustments can be made inside the cage, especially in relation to your diet, Sterling told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. He admitted that he got a little unexpectedly tired as the fight progressed, apparently much more so than Yan. And while he respects the opinion of 135-pound ex-champion Henry Cejudo who didn’t step on it, Sterling doesn’t think that was the problem.
“If (Cejudo) really saw my workout, I would know it and everyone would know it, I can actually keep that pace for five rounds,” Sterling said. “It bothers me that I get tired so quickly in the middle of the second. I don’t know what I blame him for, but I think there are a couple of things I had done differently. My water load for one.
“Strength and conditioning were a little different. But I don’t think that was it. I had a great result in my combat sessions with the strike count and my elimination from wrestling and spending on getting submissions, getting eliminations and even against the tough guys to knock down who are black belts of jiu-jitsu, Dagestan boys who fight Dagestan and have good wrestling bases. (I could still) get them down, or get me down and I could get back up. “
Diet was also a major issue for Sterling. It is tradition not to eat on the day of the fight. However, his body handled it a little differently at UFC 259, in part, he said, because there was plenty of time between his breakfast and the fight against Yan (15-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC).
“I think it could be like that because I felt my energy going to the back room and when we got on the bus I didn’t feel well,” Sterling said. “I felt weak. I felt tired and I felt like something was wrong. If I had such a performance in a compromised gas tank, I think the future is bright. I just made a small adjustment. “
Although Sterling understands the technical criticisms of his performance in the cage, for him, when it comes to criticism of the sequels, the feedback is invalid.
Photos and videos posted by friends on social media got a conviction for Sterling who said he doesn’t understand. Several angles of Sterling’s toast with friends and family and the championship belt after the fight badly rubbed off on some fans and members of the media, and they let Sterling know.
“I didn’t post any photos of me celebrating as if I had won anything,” Sterling said. “I won by default. I don’t feel like a champion. I didn’t post anything for that particular reason. Usually, after every fight, I post something. I post something to celebrate what happened. I posted a post that was out of the house with my promise. I don’t have the belt because people put it on their shoulder like, “You deserve this. No, you deserve it. Put it on. Put it on. ‘ I didn’t want it. They flew this far. They paid their money. They got home. They supported me. If they want to do that, okay, I get it. I can’t tell them to leave their phones and not post anything if they want to post them. “
Some critics have also accused him of the toast itself. Should anyone who has suffered a severe injury hours before drink alcohol? Actually, it wasn’t like that, according to Sterling.
“I didn’t drink,” Sterling said. “I took a sip of champagne. I had a toast and almost said, “I’m sorry I let everyone down. I know you are still proud of me and I will validate your belt when you get this revenge. Hopefully, next time I feel so much better. I felt out. I’m sorry and I know you guys know my workouts are so much more intense than my struggle and we’ll get to the next one. Just thanks, guys, for all who have come out. I took a sip, didn’t drink the rest of the night. A couple of hours later, I threw. This is my celebration for everyone who says I was out there, ra-ra-ing. “
When he reflects on the night that included his performance, Sterling said he feels comfortable with how it all unfolded. That said, with the way things fell, you don’t feel like the legitimate champion. Until revenge arrives, he will take it into account and use it as motivation for what he hopes will be a performance that validates the championship a second time.
“In terms of my mind and how things went, I don’t feel like the champion,” Sterling said. “This is the motivation right there, to show the world that I can keep up the pace for 25 minutes. … I will always try to find a way when there is time on this clock. I think fans would definitely recognize it or maybe yes, maybe no. Maybe they would appreciate it in terms of my tenacity and how I get to the octagon. I plan to walk out the door the same way, so I hope you’re ready for that. You better be prepared for that. “
To listen to the full interview with Sterling, watch the video below.