After victory over Barão, Sterling asks for fight with Jimmie Rivera

A. Sterling beat Barão at UFC 214 (Photo: Reproduction Facebook UFC)

The Jamaican aljamain sterling won Renan Barao in the UFC 214 preliminaries last Saturday (29) and is already eyeing the next step that could bring him close to a bantamweight title shot. The former champion was the second Brazilian in a row beaten by Sterling, who had already surpassed Augusto Tanquinho, now wants to face Jimmie rivera.

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The North American is coming off a victory over Thominhas Almeida and is now number four in the bantamweight division rankings. Currently in eighth place, Sterling could gain some positions in the next edition of the rankings. For now, though, he just wants to face Rivera.

“I want to fight for the title. The revenge with Bryan caraway it appeals to me, but cody garbrandt He says I'm overrated, that Caraway "broke" me, which he didn't. So eventually I want to face him. I want him to know what it's like to face a guy as young and prepared as him. To get there, I need one more victory. And the next step, the logical step would be to face Jimmie rivera. This is another guy who has been talking nonsense about me”, commented the Jamaican after the fight.

About the duel with Renan Barao, Sterling thinks the Brazilian underestimated him and relied too much on his takedown defense.

“Barão probably looked at me and said it would be an easy fight, because I wouldn't be able to take him down and he's better on his feet. But he's never faced a wrestler at my level. TJ has good takedowns, but he likes to fight on the feet. Faber was already old when he faced him, no disrespect. So I think he underestimated me,” he mused.

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