“Funk Master” is ready to turn back another prospect.
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight champion-turned-Featherweight contender Aljamain Sterling returns against red-hot prospect Kevin Vallejos in the UFC Qatar co-main event on Nov. 21, 2026, inside Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
The announcement came somewhat out of nowhere.
Sterling had been campaigning for the next Featherweight title shot or, at the very least, aclear No. 1 contender fight against Jean
Silva. Instead, UFC gave the former champion just one hour to accept Vallejos.
“I was told I had an hour to give an answer, and I had just gotten off the mats,” Sterling told Yahoo Sports. “I didn’t even get a chance to talk to my team. I guess the negotiations were already in the works, and the opportunity would have gone to someone else.”
“These things move quickly,” Sterling continued. “It was a situation where they had to make an announcement for the card, and it just happened that I was training at that time. Luckily, it worked out because I did want to fight one more time before this year was up. A lot of people think I just want to sit on the sidelines. It’s not even that. There are just no matchups.”
Vallejos was not the only rising Featherweight UFC offered Sterling.
“Funk Master” revealed that he was also asked to step in and face Aaron Pico at UFC 333, the same event headlined by the Featherweight title fight. Sterling ultimately rejected the matchup because he felt defeating a fighter with a 1-1 UFC record would do nothing to advance his championship ambitions.
“I was offered the Pico fight, but what the f—k does that fight do for me?” Sterling said. “The guy’s 1-1. Vallejos makes way more sense. Some people will say I ducked or dodged Pico because they think he’s the better wrestler.
“I think I’m the best wrestler in the division and probably one of the best — if not the best — in UFC,” Sterling continued. “So, if you think I’m ducking Pico, no. Why am I rewarding him? I’d much rather give the reward to the guy who’s been here longer and beaten better guys.”
Ultimately, Sterling is trying to become a two-division champion before closing the book on his acclaimed UFC career. With another victory — or the right short-notice phone call — he could receive that opportunity.
“The main goal for me, and I expressed this to Hunter, was fighting for gold again, fighting for a legacy and trying to do something that’s been so hard for many people to do,” Sterling said. “And if people can’t respect that, suck balls. Don’t tell me I can’t do something because you can’t.
“I’ve been in this position before,” Sterling added. “It reminds me of my fight with Cory Sandhagen. I don’t want to jinx it, but I think the storm is coming, and I’m going to shock the world again. And if I don’t, I’m going to die trying.”
Sterling is riding a two-fight winning streak and most recently defeated Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision. Vallejos, meanwhile, remains undefeated inside the Octagon and is coming off a knockout victory over former title challenger Josh Emmett.
When the cage door closes in Qatar, one man could emerge within touching distance of a Featherweight title shot.
The other will be sent back into the division’s crowded contender line.
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