Aljamain Sterling (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Following Aljamain Sterling’s pivotal and impressive win at UFC 250, the bantamweight contender let it be known he believes questions remain about Petr Yan’s abilities as a fighter.

Sterling took on fellow contender Cory Sandhagen on Saturday night, and proceeded to submit the rising fighter in less than 90 seconds. Leading up to the contest, UFC President Dana White said he was viewing the Sterling – Sandhagen fight as a title shot eliminator.

The men who are expected to fight for the vacant bantamweight title next, as Jose Aldo and Yan. When asked to comment on that match-up after his big win, Sterling said this (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“It’s a tough fight,” Sterling said. “Jose Aldo is a great dude, he’s tough competition and former champion. He had a really close fight with Marlon Moraes. I thought the fight could’ve gone to him. I thought it did.

“And Petr Yan is a tough dude himself, but I just don’t think he’s … I don’t know, he’s good, I’m just not sold on him yet. I think there’s some question marks to be answered, and I don’t know. Maybe this one is going to answer those questions.

“I’d love to be the guy in the position to take out the boogie man that everyone thinks. I’m like, ‘Dude, he’s a f*cking person. He bleeds just like everybody else. I don’t give a sh*t.’ It’s different when you have a good wrestler who’s confident in his abilities. I can strike, I can wrestle, I can do jiu-jitsu. There’s black belts, and then there’s black belts. And I’m a Serra BJJ black belt.”

A date for the Aldo – Yan bout has yet to be set. The latter has won six straight fights in the UFC and is on a nine fight, winning streak.

Sterling, meanwhile, has won five straight and is ranked one spot higher than Yan at #2.