UFC gave former champion a one-hour deadline to accept his return against a low-ranked opponent

TalkingPoints UFC UFC Events Schedule Results UFC 331 UFC 332 UFC 333 Boxing MMA Features Exclusives Throwbacks Follow us on '. Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images UFC Home UFC gave former champion a one-hour deadline to accept his return against a low-ranked opponent Harvey Leonard Thu 1 October 2026 23:59 Follow us on Google Discover Aljamain Sterling had to respond fast to secure another fight before the end of 2026.

The former UFC bantamweight champion is still chasing two-division glory up at 145 pounds, having departed his longtime division after being unseated from the throne by Sean O’Malley in 2023.

Sterling has won three of his four fights at featherweight but has still struggled to secure an opportunity against a high-ranked name in the rankings.