‘If You Were a Fan You’d Understand What I’ve Done’- Aljamain Sterling Hits Back at Haters at UFC 264

Reigning UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling became the first man to win a UFC gold via disqualification at UFC 259. The match was stopped after the former champion Petr Yan used an illegal knee when Sterling was down on the canvas in the fourth round.

Since then, he has been out of action due to a neck injury and subsequent surgery. He is expected to feature in a rematch with Yan at UFC 267 in October.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 06: (R-L) Aljamain Sterling punches Petr Yan of Russia in their UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 259 event at UFC APEX on March 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Although he was awarded the win when clearly Yan used an illegal knee, many fight fans have continuously targeted him for the manner of the win. Some even claimed he was faking his injury.

In the ongoing UFC 264 backstage interview, a reporter asked Sterling about his thoughts on getting hate from the fight fans. The ‘Funk Master’ gave a detailed explanation on the same.

.@funkmasterMMA on the fans bashing him after his DQ win over Petr Yan, Yan vs Aldo & more. #UFC264 pic.twitter.com/aVK7TN3Mu8

— Heidi Fang (@HeidiFang) July 11, 2021

“You know what man, you know the ones who dm me and said in comments and then go ‘I used to be a fan’, but bro, you were never a fan,” Sterling said.

“If you were a fan, you’d understand what I’ve done to get here. I have had so many setbacks and to get there from all the trials… that I have to go through from wrestling all the way through here.” 

READ MORE: VIDEO: Michel Pereira Lands Insane Illegal Backflip Head Kick at UFC 264

The ‘Funk Master’ added further that he would still feel content even if he doesn’t fight tomorrow or have to stop today. He says everything he would do from now onwards would be icing on the cake.

Aljamain Sterling targets Petr Yan

Sterling (20-3) didn’t stop there. The bantamweight champion urges his haters to target Yan instead for using the illegal knee.

 “So, if you really wanna bash me because he did something illegal, blame him, but you wanna blame me. Because the rules we all agree, the ref tells you in the backroom and then ref told on the floor,” he added.

The ‘Funk Master’ though, sends a clear message to his rival. “Listen, I can’t wait to shut him up and I know what I have done in this sport.”

Sterling further claims himself to be one of the best and that only matters to him the most. He would like to do things the way he has envisioned.

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Well, Sterling has an opportunity now to silence his critics when he faces the Russian again later this year. Till then, he may have to swallow the criticism pill coming from his haters.

What did you make of Sterling’s message to his haters?

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