A key featherweight match-up between undefeated Movsar Evloev and former 135lb champ Aljamain Sterling was featured on Saturday’s UFC 310 preliminary card.
Being on the prelims, a lot was made about the fight’s placement on the card despite it being arguably the third most consequential bout of the night. While not necessarily a title eliminator, the fight would certainly push the winner closer to a shot at gold in the division now ruled over by Ilia Topuria.
The opening minute was spent at kicking range, with both fighters awkwardly striking out of their comfort zone. There was no noticeable size difference despite Sterling being a former 135er. The ‘Funkmaster’ was the first to shoot a takedown and successfully got Evloev to his knees. After a lot of work, Sterling partially got to the back, but because both were sitting on the ground, he wasn’t able to hold the position for long. After a big slam by Sterling, Evloev reverses and gets a takedown of his own, landing in side control. Round 1 goes to Sterling as most of the round was contested in the grappling department with Sterling controlling the majority of the action.
Sterling timed a beautiful level change early and got Evloev to the ground in the second, but the Russian used a whizzer to get back to his feet. After a scramble Evloev momentarily got a crucifix which he then used to get to Sterling’s back. Once they back to the feet, Evloev landed a couple big right hands, clearly the biggest strikes of the fight up to that point. After catching a kick, Evloev got the fight back to the ground and got some control time in three quarter mount. With both fighters’ grappling being so evenly matched, neither of them are able to hold any type of dominant position for long. With Evloev’s big right hands from earlier and being the clearly more active fighter in dominant positions, he takes this round 10-9.
With the fight being 1-1 entering the third, Evloev attempted a home run spinning elbow, but spun himself out of control and lost his balance, allowing Sterling to get a body lock. Sterling eventually picked him up to slam him, but Evloev got right back up to his feet. Halfway through the round, Sterling refused to let go of his body lock, satisfied to burn time off the clock. A granby roll by Evloev and a failed back take attempt by Sterling has Evloev landing on top for the first time in the round. Evloev made better use of his dominant position and landed significantly more ground and pound, stealing the round in its latter half.
All three judges saw it the same, 29-28, for the Russian as he keeps his undefeated record intact, improving to 19-0. Who’s to say whether this will be enough to finally warrant a title shot. Beating a former champion like Aljamain Sterling should go a long way, but it is yet another fight where Evloev fails to obtain his first UFC finish.
Official result: Movsar Evloev def. Aljamain Sterling by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
