Sterling Still Questions UFC 310 Placement
Aljamain Sterling questioned why his featherweight bout with Movsar Evloev was placed on the preliminary card for the December 7, 2024 event in Las Vegas. Sterling said he was unsure whether to take the placement as an insult, while also noting that an earlier start meant less media work and more time with friends after the fight. He and Evloev ultimately fought on the prelims; Evloev won a close unanimous decision.
Why the placement stood out
Sterling entered the matchup as a former bantamweight champion making his second appearance at featherweight. He had beaten Calvin Kattar in his division debut earlier in 2024, and Evloev was unbeaten. Before the event, Sterling said he considered himself a main-card fighter but could also see an upside to competing earlier. The official fight-week interview records his comments about having less media work and celebrating with friends afterward.
No specific reason for the bout order was publicly given. The card also featured several established names on the prelims, so the placement alone does not establish that Sterling or Evloev was being deliberately slighted.
How the bout ended
Evloev won by unanimous decision, 29–28 on all three judges’ cards. The official scorecards document the result. Sterling’s pre-fight comments were mixed: he objected to being off the main card, but also joked about the benefits of fighting earlier.
