Las Vegas — Ahead of their featherweight showdown at UFC 310, Movsar Evloev sent opponent Aljamain Sterling a message: “Stay healthy, Aljo.”
Sterling had previously pulled out of a booking with Evloev, a fight that had been set for Utah in October, and for which Evloev had already arrived stateside. That led to some nervousness over whether Sterling might withdraw again.
“First day, I knew that he pulled out. That made me a little bit nervous, but you know, it’s MMA, someone can pull out or someone can get an injury or something can happen,” Evloev explained during Wednesday’s UFC 310 media day. “Even when you cut your weight, you’ve already gone through waiting, and then something can happen. Like in China when my opponent pulled out after weighing in. You have to be ready for this, that thing cannot break you.”
Sterling had actually sent Evloev a message, in Russian, online, telling him not to “push the brake.” “We know who pushed the brake before, so I said ‘just stay healthy, bro.’ This is the most important thing for me.”
The Russian fighter, a standout at 145lbs since arriving in the UFC from M-1, scoffed at Sterling’s notion that he does steroids. Sterling previously made the claim on social media.
“I don’t know what this guy is looking for. How can you say someone that is using steroids if you don’t know? He said ‘I don’t see it, but I know.’ How you know? Who are you? I have USADA, or doping control. Just tell them if you know something.”
It’s CSAD (Combat Sports Anti-Doping) that Evloev is likely referring to. The body took over from USADA at the start of 2024; under both organizations, Movsar Evloev has not failed a drug test.
While he would later claim to be joking, Evloev went on to add that he believes the fight is appearing on the UFC 310 preliminary card because of Sterling.
“I think we’re in prelims because of him, but I don’t care. Same money. Nobody cares,” he stated. “Maybe even better to stay in prelims for this card, because more people will watch our fight. And at that time, people will be able to find out who is the next contender for the belt.”
Evloev also addressed calling for a fight with Diego Lopes after Sterling pulled out of their first fight. In his own promotional debut, Lopes stepped in to face the Russian on short notice.
“When first time he fought with me, he had nothing, nothing to lose. And of course it’s good to sign with the UFC, even if you know you will lose. But this kid showed a good fight against me, and I was also in short notice. But now after his couple victories, when I called him, now he has something to lose. And he knows if he loses again against me, people will now that he never will be champion.”
Watch the full UFC 310 media day appearance by Movsar Evloev above.
