Aljamain Sterling was seven years old when Johnny Eduardo made his Vale Tudo debut in Brazil. Nineteen years later, they will collide at UFC Fight Night 80 in Las Vegas, and the Brazilian plans to humble the bantamweight prospect on Dec. 10.
Sterling called out Eduardo for the first time back in June, promising to retire the Nova Uniao fighter from the sport. The Brazilian veteran, who hasn’t fought since a devastating knockout victory over Eddie Wineland in 2014, isn’t bothered by his opponent’s pre-fight talk.
"It’s just the opposite. He’s a frustrated man who tries to rise overnight, and that’s not how things work in the fight business," Eduardo told MMAFighting.