Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling found himself on the receiving end of a submission loss during a recent grappling match against Russian mixed martial artist Marif Piraev at the ALF Reality event.
The unexpected outcome has created buzz in the combat sports community, as Sterling—known for his grappling prowess during his UFC championship reign—was forced to tap out to Piraev‘s skillful technique.
Piraev, a veteran of numerous professional MMA bouts across various promotions, showcased impressive submission skills against the American former champion. The match highlighted the Russian’s technical abilities on the ground, an area where Sterling has traditionally excelled.
This exhibition match comes at an interesting time in Sterling‘s career. After losing his UFC bantamweight title to Sean O’Malley in August 2023, Sterling has been exploring opportunities both within and outside the UFC octagon.
Combat sports fans online have been reacting to footage of the submission, with many expressing surprise at seeing the former champion—who successfully defended his UFC title multiple times—tapping out in a grappling scenario. Many were quick to note the size discrepancy between the two.
While exhibition grappling matches don’t carry the same competitive weight as sanctioned MMA bouts, they do provide valuable insights into athletes’ technical abilities in a controlled environment focused purely on ground techniques.
Sterling was coaching on Alf reality series against former rival Petr Yan for a rumored 6-figure paycheck so we’re sure he doesn’t mind.
