Aljamain Sterling (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Following Cory Sandhagen’s latest victory this past weekend at UFC Nashville, the bantamweight reported he’s waiting for a title shot. But, the current champ Aljamain Sterling believes the contender still has some work to do.

Sandhagen took on Rob Font in the card’s main event, and ground his way to a unanimous decision win by leveraging his wrestling. After the fight, Sandhagen reported that a tricep injury he incurred early in the fight, impacted his performance. He also made it clear he wants to face the winner of the August 19th fight between Sterling and Sean O’Malley.

But, while speaking to ESPN, Sterling pushed back on Sandhagen calling for a title shot (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“I think he stays right where he is,” Sterling said. “Unfortunately, injury is part of sport. I can’t take anything away from him. Obviously tearing a tricep is a big thing. I’ve torn my bicep before. I’ve got a partially torn one, also. I know what it’s like to deal with injuries in a fight.

“I just think he could have done a little bit more on top. Your tricep doesn’t stop you from dropping elbows. It doesn’t stop you from punching. There’s levels to this, and respect to him for implementing grappling now to his arsenal – but there’s levels.”

Leading up to UFC 292, Sterling has said he may vacate the bantamweight title and move up to featherweight if he defeats O’Malley. When asked again about Sandhagen fighting for the belt, Sterling cited the possibility of a fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Sandhagen for the vacant title.

Sterling (23-3) faced Sandhagen (17-4) in 2020 and submitted him in the opening round.