Aljamain Sterling: I can’t wait to just shut that guy up for good

Aljamain Sterling has a UFC bantamweight title unification bout with Petr Yan to deal with, but the champion sees Jose Aldo creeping toward the shot, as well.

If that fight happens, it would be a definitive No. 1 contender match. The winner would be perfectly positioned to fight the winner of Sterling (20-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) vs. Yan (16-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC). The reigning champ was cageside to see Aldo compete from up close, and he couldn’t leave anything but impressed.

“I thought it was a phenomenal performance,” Sterling said during the UFC on ESPN 31 post-fight show. “Compared to what he did against Petr Yan, this was night and day. I think he’s still getting better, still proving that he’s one of the top dogs in this division, and I’m super excited because this division is really hot right now.”

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“I think you’ve just got to stay in his face the whole time; that’s my personal opinion,” Sterling said. “When he started taking Rob Font down, he was a fish out on land, so to speak. … He’s a black belt. He’s a legend. He’s done what he’s done in the history books for a reason, but I do believe I have the tools to beat every one of these guys in the bantamweight division.”

“We’ve got a lot of unsettled business,” Sterling said. “I can’t wait to just shut that guy up for good.”