Aljamain Sterling: If I don't get a rematch, Merab Dvalishvili must be next in line

• UFC

Despite his best efforts, Aljamain Sterling was unable to defeat Sean O'Malley. Sterling, however, wants a rematch. The UFC's leaders will decide whether Sterling or someone else will be the next in line. He believes that Merab Dvalishvili should get the chance if he doesn't.

"I think if I don’t get the immediate rematch, and I don’t want to fight if they offer me the immediate rematch for December, I’m going to have to respectfully decline,” Sterling said, as quoted by mmajunkieusatoday.com!

“But if they were to do it early next year, like in January or February, I would accept it in a heartbeat."

Merab Dvalishvili

Merab Dvalishvili has shown many times in his career how ready and quality a fighter he is.

Sean O'Malley would certainly have a difficult task. However, we have to wait a while and see what the UFC really wants at this point. Among fans, opinions are still divided. “But if I’m not going to get the rematch, the next guy in line has to be Merab Dvalishvili.

He has to be. He’s the No. 1 contender. I don’t think any other matchup makes more scene than him. Clearly, the other guys that are on the sideline, they’re hurt. It’s going to be interesting to see what the UFC does, but I think that’s the most logical matchup”.

Sterling does not want to look too far into the future. Aljo already has certain plans, but he is aware that he is not the only one who will decide his fate. Many factors are at play! “Of course, that would put me in limbo,” Sterling said.

“People will be like, ‘Where does that leave you, Aljo? I don’t know. Maybe I stick around 135 and take a fight or two and then go to 145, or maybe I go straight to 145. It just really depends. Let’s just see how things shape up before we start jumping to conclusions and get all crazy”.