Aljamain Sterling is coming off of a split decision loss to Raphael Assuncao at UFC On Fox 23, it was the second straight loss the bantamweight star has suffered.
Sterling, who disagrees with the judge’s decision at UFC 208, says that Assuncao just layed on top him for three rounds.
“Obviously, if you take the guy down and you’re laying on him, you’re winning the fight, even if you’re not doing that much damage,” Sterling said to MMA Junkie. “And they’re supposed to change the rules, if the guy’s attacking off his back, he’s supposed to win the fight. But I guarantee you, you don’t see that happen. The guy’s going to be on top, and they’re going to score the fight for the guy that’s on top. And it’s unfortunate. Tthat’s not how fights should be scored. It should be the guy actively trying to finish the fight, actively being more effective with his striking, landing more strikes, and that’s how you win.”
The bantamweight star is now ranked #11 in the UFC Bantamweight Division, despite a recent skid. However, the one thing the still irks the fighter is that he has no idea what judge’s are looking for in fights.
“That’s the part that’s disheartening, you know,” Sterling said. “I felt like I did everything I could, and in the third round, I said, ‘Let’s put an exclamation point and put a stamp on this fight and go after this guy and really try to get the finish.’ I feel like I really tried to do that, and I outstruck the guy. I think he probably landed one straight left in that third round that popped my head back. And I came right back forward. (Assuncao) landed more punches, harder punches and strikes in T.J. Dillashaw, who’s next in line for the world title, as opposed to me. I just don’t get it. So that’s kind of where – I just try to wrap my head around that and try to go back to the drawing board to figure out what I need to do.”
Prior to the two fight losing streak Sterling is on, he earned victories in the promotion over Cody Gibson, Hugo Viana, Takeya Mizugaki and Johnny Eduardo.
