Aljamain Sterling Isn’t Down With Jose Aldo & Frankie Edgar Looking For a “Last Hurrah” at 135

Both Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar have decided to make the drop to bantamweight, and have been booked for high stake fights in their 135 debuts. While some observers are excited to see whether the legends can put together another title run, evidently (understandably?) Aljamain Sterling isn’t one of those folks.

Sterling’s take on Aldo’s and Edgar’s move

Aldo raised eyebrows a few months ago, when he announced his intention to drop down to bantamweight. Since there had been repeated talk about Aldo moving up to 155 over the years, the news surprised plenty of folks. Dana White also opined that he didn’t see the drop happening.

With Edgar, however, his decision was less of a surprise, as many people have called on him to make the move previously. Now Edgar is set to face rising bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen on January 25th, and Aldo is set to battle former WSOF champ Marlon Moraes on December 14th,

Recently Sterling spoke with MMA Junkie, and while discussing Aldo and Edgar, the top contender said this:

“Two belts in two different weight classes would be historic, but they’re old in fight years, they’re older in age, and they’re fighting guys who are almost a decade younger than them – so it’s going to be very interesting to see how they do,” Sterling said. “I’m not wishing them any type of ill will, but at the same time, I just wish they hug each other for 15 minutes and have boring fights.

“I don’t really understand or can make much sense out of it. I’m like, ‘You guys established yourselves as (1)45-ers – to come down at that age, that late in your career, it doesn’t make a ton of sense to me.’ It’s the last Hail Mary. It’s the last hurrah for another title shot and one more chance for them to become a champion again in another weight class.”

“I hope all the guys coming down in weight class have an egg of a fight, and leave us real bantamweights who’ve been here, putting in the work, to get a shot,” Sterling said.

Does Sterling have  a point?

If you’re a fan of Edgar or Aldo, then obviously you’d like to see the legends make some waves and fight for another belt. But, at the same time, you can understand where Sterling’s coming from, as far as his own interests.

Sterling is riding a four fight winning streak and is already knocking on the door for a title shot. But, since he doesn’t have the profile of either Edgar or Aldo, he understands he could be swept aside by eiter man. The champ Henry Cejudo has already expressed an interest in fighting either star.

Further, Sterling was expected to fight Edgar next, before he was sidelined due to wrist surgery.