Sterling Calls Out Silva For December Title Eliminator

Aljamain Sterling wants a December showdown with Jean Silva to settle the featherweight title picture.

The former bantamweight champion, now on a two-fight winning streak at 145 pounds, called for a title eliminator with Silva after the Brazilian knocked out Jose Miguel Delgado at Noche UFC on Saturday. Silva called for a shot at the winner of Alexander Volkanovski versus Movsar Evloev at UFC 333, but Sterling thinks a fight between them makes more sense first.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC 333 on Ticketmaster →

Sterling Proposes December Timeline For Silva Clash

Sterling initially pushed for a November date at Madison Square Garden but now believes December gives Silva proper recovery time. "I want to give him the fair opportunity to heal, be ready, be the best version of himself," Sterling said on his YouTube channel, per MMA Fighting. "Let's run this for December and see who is the clear-cut No. 1 contender. I don't think it's rocket science, at all."

The 37-year-old emphasized he wants fights that advance his career, not random matchups. Sterling noted that if Evloev wins the title, the division could stall with Ramadan on the champion's calendar. A December eliminator would keep both fighters active while the title picture clarifies.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC 333 on Ticketmaster →

Silva responded to the callout with trash talk but has not formally accepted. He outlined several injuries from his Noche UFC camp that may require healing time. Sterling remains confident his grappling-heavy style will neutralize Silva's knockout power when they eventually meet.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Aljamain Sterling calls for title eliminator with Jean Silva in December: ‘I don’t think it’s rocket science’