Aljamain Sterling wants title rematch, Colby Covington bashes Shavkat Rakhmonov, Alexandre Pantoja called out by former UFC champ: MMA News Roundup

Aljamain Sterling wants Movsar Evloev rematch for title, Colby Covington talks potentially facing Shavkat Rakhmonov, and a former UFC champ calls out Alexandre Pantoja.

Find out more details in today's (Dec. 13) Sportskeeda daily news roundup.

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#3. Aljamain Sterling wants Movsar Evloev rematch for featherweight title

Aljamain Sterling has expressed an interest in running it back with Movsar Evloev adm rumors Ilia Topuria is set to relinquish the featherweight title.

'Funk Master' faced off against Evloev at UFC 310 last weekend, suffering his first loss at 145 pounds. The pair put on a high-level wrestling and grappling contest, which Evloev edged on the scorecards.

Following their bout, 'El Matador' has since stated he's eyeing up a move to lightweight and could be set to release the title. If that does play out, Sterling has already thrown his name into the mix for the vacant title.

Responding to a fan on X, Sterling said he'd be open to a rematch against Evloev for the belt. He said:

"Based on the landscape of the division, it should be a rematch between me and Movsar for the belt."

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#2. Colby Covington discusses potentially facing Shavkat Rakhmonvov after UFC Tampa

Colby Covington has revealed he's open to facing Shavkat Rakhmonov, providing he defeats Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa this weekend.

Speaking to the press at the media day this week, 'Chaos' was asked about Rakhmonov's victory over Ian Garry at UFC 310. The Americani claimed t's a fight he's always been interested in, especially now as he believes the Irishman showed that 'Nomad' is all "hype."

He said:

"I wanted to fight Shavkat. That was the fight I wanted. I think he's all hype. He hasn't fought anybody at my level, an elite fighter in a five-round fight. So I was excited to fight Shavkat, but the UFC already had other plans. They said, 'Hey, we're going to do the other fight with the cuck, Ian Garry.' So, they wanted to do that fight."

Catch Covington's comments here (1:18):

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#1. Former two-division UFC champion calls out Alexandre Pantoja

Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo has called out Alexandre Pantoja and stated his willingness to do the fight in the champ's native country of Brazil.

Pantoja recently defended the men's flyweight title for a third time against the debuting Kai Asakura at UFC 310. 'The Cannibal' then called out the recently retired Demetrious Johnson for a bout, but Cejudo has now thrown his name into the mix.

Speaking in a recent episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast, 'Triple C' stated his interest in facing Pantoja and admitted he'd happily face him in Brazil:

"If Pantoja wants to do this fight, I can shake on it...It's up to Hunter [Campbell], man... I've asked him about going down to 125 pounds...if they believe me and trust in me and we're able to go to the PI, and if Pantoja wants to do it, if he wants to do it in Brazil, I would love to make him bend the knee. And I love the dude and he's the kindest soul and I'm glad he's champion but for that championship belt, Pantoja, you will bend the knee to king 'Triple C'."

Check out Henry Cejudo's comments here (22:22):