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#4. Jose Aldo vs. Aljamain Sterling
While it’s probably fair to suggest that at the age of 35, Jose Aldo’s best days might be behind him now, it’s also hard to deny that in his most recent fights, he’s shown that he may have a lot left in the tank to offer.
The former UFC featherweight kingpin is currently on a three-fight win streak, with victories over Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz and Rob Font. He’s ranked at No.3 in the 135-pound division, behind only T.J. Dillashaw and Petr Yan.
So would the Brazilian legend stand a chance against Aljamain Sterling if the two were to square off in the octagon? Stylistically, at least, there’s a chance that he could offer a very genuine threat to ‘Funk Master’.
Aldo’s defensive wrestling has always been one of his biggest strengths and his takedown defense of 90% is still remarkably impressive, especially when you consider he’s been competing in the UFC since early 2011.
If Sterling couldn’t find a way to take him down, could Aldo outgun the champ standing? There’d be a high possibility that he could do so. The Brazilian still has some of the most dangerous striking in the division, and his leg kicks and sweeping combinations are second-to-none even now.
Overall then, despite Aldo’s advanced age and the fact that he was defeated by Yan comprehensively when they fought, stylistically, he’d definitely stand a good chance of dethroning Sterling if they were to fight.
#3. Dominick Cruz vs. Aljamain Sterling
Like Jose Aldo, it’s probably fair to say that Dominick Cruz’s best years are behind him at this point. ‘The Dominator’ is now 37 years old and has suffered a seemingly un-ending list of serious injuries over his decade-long career with the UFC.
However, Cruz is still a very viable contender in the bantamweight division right now. He’s coming off two straight victories and looked like he’d turned back the clock in his most recent victory over Pedro Munhoz in December.
Cruz probably has a long way to go before he earns a shot at UFC bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling – he’d most likely need to win at least two more fights – but if he did find himself faced with ‘Funk Master’, would he stand a chance?
The answer is probably yes, from a stylistic standpoint, at least. Cruz has always had a remarkably strong takedown defense, meaning Sterling would be unlikely to take him down or run a grappling clinic on him if he could put him on his back.
On the feet, meanwhile, ‘The Dominator’ is more hittable than he was in his prime, but he’s still an excellent, tricky and unorthodox striker. More to the point, Sterling has never displayed the kind of one-shot knockout power that could take Cruz out.
Basically, while Cruz might be past his prime, there’d still be an off-chance that he could pick Sterling apart on the feet if the two men were to meet, meaning he’d stand as good a chance at dethroning the champ as anyone right now.
