Aljamain Sterling argues to jump Movsar Evloev for Alex Volkanovski fight: 'Give the people what they want'

Aljamain Sterling is going all out to earn a UFC featherweight title shot. On Saturday at UFC Vegas 116, the former bantamweight champion notched his second consecutive victory in his first main event since moving up from his longtime division. In his unanimous decision victory over Youssef Zalal , Sterling was back to his classic form.

Showcasing his powerful and dominant grappling, he outclassed his former training partner and ended the Moroccan’s impressive nine-fight UFC unbeaten streak. Speaking on Monday’s edition of “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Sterling said he believes there’s no one more deserving than him to take on champion Alexander Volkanovski next. "I went out there and I did what I had to do.

I want to see people try to discredit me now,” Sterling told Uncrowned. “What can you say about anything that I don't deserve the shot now? I think I stated my claim.

I did it in a very, very big way. I'm just happy, and happy, fortunate and blessed for the opportunity. It was definitely a scary, tough fight in the sense of the build-up — it was almost like I was fighting a mirror image of myself, just maybe not with all the wrestling accolades, and maybe as proven in jiu-jitsu as much.