'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUH/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQT/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMurDT//xAAfEAABBAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMRIgQFAAYTFJL/2gAIAQEAAT8A6xmbBdQTbuwdTKyEP1CBIRpAG1plJ4G1oPkw2zOLEr7tl+uf/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAv/aAAgBAgEBPwCdNI//xAAaEQACAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEQABEkHR/9oACAEDAQE/AAHJvXKn/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Aljamain Sterling's UFC 307 withdrawal has led to an interesting exchange with fans online. The former bantamweight champion announced yesterday that he will no longer face undefeated featherweight Movsar Evloev at the aforementioned pay-per-view after months of online trash talk.
As Sterling revealed, he suffered an injury that will now require surgery. Despite his best attempts to remain on the card, 'Funk Master' was advised to withdraw from the event. Still in disbelief, Sterling took to X to express his shock over the turn of events.
"I still can't believe this really happened. Gutted. In due time."
Unfortunately, this drew the attention of a fan who accused Sterling of pulling out of fights frequently. However, Sterling was defiant in the face of criticism, challenging the fan in question to highlight any other fight from which he withdrew.
"Help me understand...what fights did I pull out of? The one with Movsar and who else? I'm curious or you heard it somewhere and thought it was cool to repeat nonsense"
Not every reaction Sterling received was negative though. One fan spoke about the positive side of the former bantamweight champion not forcing himself to fight injured. This was something Sterling appreciated.
"100% thank you bro. Weird accident. Wasn't even my shoulder that got hurt from the kimura"
As for what will become of Evloev now that Sterling is injured, fans will have to wait for an announcement from the UFC. But the unbeaten Russian has expressed how arduously he worked in preparation for Sterling, asserting his desire to remain on the card.
However, given the bad blood between the two men, and the constant trash talk that has defined their unresolved rivalry, it is likely that they will, at some point, share the octagon.
Aljamain Sterling withdrew from UFC 267
After Petr Yan lost his bantamweight title to Aljamain Sterling via disqualification, a rematch was scheduled between the pair. They were to lock horns at UFC 267, but Sterling's neck injuries had become unbearable, and he was denied medical clearance.
However, it is worth noting that Sterling withdrew from UFC 267 over a month prior to the event itself, so it is somewhat different from his UFC 307 case. Regardless, he ended up fighting Yan at UFC 273, winning via split decision.
