Getty
A UFC star was livid after watching UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo submit Alex Perez on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 255. Bantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling argued that Figueiredo cheated by using an illegal move to defeat Perez at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sterling posted, “HE GRABBED THE CAGE TWICE!! AND THEN REVERSED THE POSITION!! I don’t have a dog in the race but that’s f****** bulls***! #UFC255”.
HE GRABBED THE CAGE TWICE!! AND THEN REVERSED THE POSITION!! I don’t have a dog in the race but that’s fucking bullshit! #UFC255
“Funkmaster” didn’t stop there. Soon, he was tweeting his accusations directly at the UFC.
Sterling posted, “F*** the rules. Seems like if you ain’t cheating you’re losing! #UFC255 Big theme of the night”.
Fuck the rules. Seems like if you ain’t cheating you’re losing! #UFC255 Big theme of the night
The sequence of events that triggered Sterling happened just before Figueiredo scored the submission win.
UNDER TWO MINUTES.
🏆 @Daico_Deiveson‘s legacy is off and running! #UFC255
It was a dominant performance by the men’s UFC flyweight champion.
However, according to the Unified Rules of MMA, grabbing the fence as described by Sterling is one of the acts that constitutes a foul in MMA that “may result in penalties at the discretion of the referee”.
Follow the Heavy on UFC Facebook page for the latest breaking news, rumors and content!
Sterling vs. Twitter
After Sterling expressed his opinions about Figueiredo’s fast finish, the popular American bantamweight star spent some time talking with fans about the matter over social media.
First, Sterling explained why he thought it was cheating.
Sterling posted, “Cage grab legitimately helped him maintain his position on the feet, which allowed him to adjust into the single leg cutback”.
To another fan, Sterling argued why his viewpoint was the only one that made sense.
Sterling posted, “Lol it’s deada** ridiculous. Like ppl actually denying this blows my mind. But it’s hard to ‘get it’ when it’s not your money and health in the line. It’s just a simple ‘why you complaining bro?'”.
Lol it’s deadass ridiculous. Like ppl actually denying this blows my mind. But it’s hard to “get it” when it’s not your money and health in the line. It’s just a simple “why you complaining bro?” 🤦🏾♂️
And what about Perez’s defense? Or lack thereof? Did that play a role?
Sterling posted, “This is fair. But I think the sporadic transition played into that, which stems from the fence grab either way. There’s no evidence to suggest that Perez would’ve been caught in a transition guillotine like that, had he gotten the first TD attempt. It would’ve been clean.”
After that, things got a little heated when some Twitter users used Sterling’s social media posts as a chance to start trolling him.
Obviously, that didn’t go well.
Sterling posted, “You think I care what you’re waiting for? I get paid more money than your micro peepee will ever see, whether I win or lose. It must suck to live a life so sad…damn I can’t relate”.
Sterling posted, “That’s the difference between us fighters and you spineless Twitter clowns. We get out there and do stuff with our lives, while you guys talk about it. Yea, we get paid to chase dreams. You guys get no bunz and no moneys for ‘trying’ to be funny. Sucks to be a hater.”
That’s the difference between us fighters and you spineless Twitter clowns. We get out there and do stuff with our lives, while you guys talk about it.
Yea, we get paid to chase dreams. You guys get no bunz and no moneys for “trying” to to be funny. 😂 Sucks to be a hater.
ALL the latest UFC news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Heavy on UFC newsletter here!
Sign up for the Heavy on UFC Newsletter!
Sterling’s Next Fight
Following those posts, Sterling decided to pivot toward his UFC bantamweight title shot against Petr Yan scheduled for December 12. The 31-year-old even shared some recent training footage of himself preparing for the fight.
Alas, by the next day, Sterling’s fight against Yan was being postponed. Per RT, Yan was forced to pull off the card, so the UFC is now looking to rebook the fight sometime next year.
“Everything happens for a reason…”, Sterling said.
Sterling vs. Figueiredo?
But Sterling also said he hopes to fight for an interim title while Yan is away.
Interim? 👀
Come to think of it, Figueiredo revealed to Heavy’s Stephen McCaugherty last week he desires to move up in weight to become a double champion.
Moreover, UFC president Dana White told the media after Figueiredo’s latest win at UFC 255 that he plans on bringing the Brazilian back for another big fight in December.
Does that mean Sterling vs. Figueiredo might be on the way?
Stranger things have happened.
READ NEXT: Mike Tyson’s Next Opponent: 5 Fast Facts About Roy Jones Jr.
Twitter: @Kelsey_McCarson
YouTube: Real Talk with Kelsey and Rachel