Aljamain Sterling was once the UFC bantamweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @funkmastermma
Facing one of the biggest challenges of his career, Aljamain Sterling doesn't seem happy with his salary. The former Ultimate bantamweight champion (up to 61,2 kg) will face Brian Ortega next Saturday (23), in the co-main event of UFC Shanghai , valid for the featherweight division (up to 65,7 kg). According to him, the effort and investment made to prepare for the five rounds of combat are not compatible with the payment, which would be the same if the duel were scheduled for only 15 minutes.
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Sterling addressed the issue in an interview with the website 'MMA Fighting' this Wednesday (20). According to the fighter, he has been asking for an increase in the amount for a considerable time.
“I don't know why it's five rounds. I think it's kind of stupid. Like, what are we going to gain from this? We're not going to win a trophy at the end, so why are we fighting five rounds? It's 10 extra minutes of training, 10 extra minutes of fighting. I honestly don't know. I don't want five rounds. Who wants to fight more for the same salary they're getting? It doesn't make sense. In the contract (it said five rounds), and I was like, 'What for?' I thought, potentially, we could get moved to the main event, and that didn't happen, so here we are. I'm like, 'Hey, Mr. Manager, can we get a little extra money for this?' I've been asking for weeks.
If there was still any confusion. The fight between Brian Ortega and Aljamain Sterling in Shanghai is scheduled for 5 rounds in the featherweight division. #UFCShanghai pic.twitter.com/mZLOfxEfdR
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) August 19, 2025
Sterling is coming off a loss at UFC 310
Speaking about the importance of the duel, the former champion highlighted that the confrontation could be a turning point for both. At 36 years old, Sterling is coming off a loss to Movsar Evloev last December. Ortega, on the other hand, was dominated by Diego Lopes at UFC 306 , in Esfera.
"This is a huge fight, man. I think it's decisive for both of us, considering our ages, what we've accomplished, and where we've both been in our divisions. I don't want to say it's a decisive fight for me, but I'm not interested in fighting prospects just for the money. Maybe I'll consider it at some point, but I'm not in that mindset right now. It doesn't make me wake up in the morning and make me want to train to fight these 22-, 23-year-olds who don't have a name. They're trying to make a name for themselves on me, they're trying to make a name for themselves on Ortega," he concluded.
Aljamain Sterling after his victory at UFC 288. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
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