After getting moved to the prelim card for UFC 310, fans expected Aljamain Sterling to bring his A-game to the octagon after canceling for UFC 307, but alas, the American was out-grappled by Movsar Evloev.
Sterling came in with a stiff jab and an early takedown in the early minutes of the fight. It seemed Sterling had the upper hand as he continued to pepper his opponent with blows and jabs, but Evloev managed to manoeuvre and switch positions. Evloev pulled a flip and sought a submission, but Sterling was saved by the bell.
Sterling came into the second round with an impressive takedown, but Evloev managed to get on top but couldn’t maintain dominance, and the two were soon back on their feet. Evloev landed a stiff right that took Sterling to the canvas. Evloev went in for the kill, landing some heavy ground and pound, but Sterling offered zero leeway and landed some strikes of his own.
Sterling continued the remaining rounds with aggressive strikes and takedowns. He sought an advantage and kept at it with offensive striking, but Evloev stayed on his toes. He looked like he was about to give up, but he unleashed a barrage of strikes in the final round. The fight eventually ended with a unanimous decision win for Evloev.
The defeat marks Sterling’s second in his last three fights, but the fighter remains positive about his chances of winning the title and says he will return better and stronger. In an X post, Sterling released a statement shortly after his defeat.
“Tough fight…I thought I might’ve edged it out against a tough opponent, but we came up short,” Sterling wrote on X. “Thank you all for the love and support and I hope the performance was a fun one for you all to watch. Movsar is a beast, I showed where I belong in this division. For now, we decompress and heal up, then get ready to climb the ladder again. The dream doesn’t stop unless you give up! I’ll be back! #UFC310 #FunkHarbor #Perseverance“
Evloev, on the other hand, is ready for the next phase in his career. The fighter is willing to take on a title shot, but he understands there are steps to take before he is afforded that shot.
“Who knows? You’ll always be asking me the same question. Like I said, I’m always ready for a title shot.”
The night was also rewarding for other fighters, such as Alexander Pantoja, Vincente Luque, Chase Hooper, and Kennedy Nzechukwu, who won an extra $50,000 for their performances.
Main Card
Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Asakura sub (RNC) (R2, 2:05)
Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision
Ciryl Gane def. Alexander Volkov via split decision
Bryce Mitchell def. Kron Gracie via third-round KO (0:39)
Doo Ho Choi def. Nate Landwehr via third-round TKO (3:21)
Preliminary Card
Dominick Reyes vs. Anthony Smith via second-round TKO (2:46)
Vicente Luque def. Themba Gorimbo via sub (D’arce choke) (R1, 0:52)
Movsar Evloev def. Aljamain Sterling via unanimous decision
Bryan Battle def. Randy Brown via split decision
Eryk Anders def. Chris Weidman via second-round TKO (4:51)
Joshua Van def. Cody Durden via unanimous decision
Michael Chiesa def. Max Griffin via submission (RNC) (R3, 1:56)
Chase Hooper def. Clay Guida via submission (armbar) (R1, 3:41)
Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Lukasz Brzeski via first-round TKO (4:51)
