Aljamain Sterling has provided an update on his condition following the vicious knockout he suffered at the hands of Marlon Moraes at last weekend’s UFC Fresno.
Sterling was defeated just over a minute into the first round after Moraes, the former World Series of Fighting bantamweight champion, connected with a left knee to Sterling’s jaw. Following the strike Sterling remained unconscious on the canvas for several minutes while medical personnel assessed him.
The Serra-Longo fighter was transported to hospital on Saturday night.
Sterling has since taken to social media to provide an update following the knockout.
Hats off to Marlon. Thought I timed the TD perfectly and he was able to land a nasty knee. Sucks to be the nail, but this is the fight game. I'm ok for all those asking 🙏🏾
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) December 10, 2017
KNEE GAME PROPER! Marlon Moraes with the absurd KO knee on Aljamain Sterling! #UFCFresno https://t.co/Wn9Q0ul7fz
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) December 10, 2017
The loss snaps a two-fight win streak that Sterling had been enjoying in the bantamweight division. In July he won a unanimous decision against former champion Renan Barao. A few months prior, in April, he beat Augusto Mendes, again by unanimous decision.
The knockout loss to Moraes marks the first time in his career that Sterling has been defeated inside the distance. Moraes has now won two fights in the space of a month after being given the nod by the judges in his last fight opposite John Dodson in November.
