Gallery Petr Yan def. Jimmie Rivera at UFC 238: Best photos view 8 images

Since they first crossed paths in the public eye, UFC bantamweight contenders Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan have had some beef to squash.

Both ranked fighters picked up major victories at UFC 238 earlier this month, with Sterling (18-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) defeating Pedro Munhoz and Yan (13-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) ousting Jimmie Rivera. Following the event, each began angling for a title shot.

From there, the situation escalated with a dizzying back-and-forth of quoted tweets and other comments on social media. On Friday, in an interview with MMA Junkie, Sterling tried to recall the origin of their online feud.

“I think he just kept tweeting about this interim title fight,” Sterling said. “He said he would beat Henry ‘Cedoodoo’ and (me) in one night. Then it turned into if Henry is going to defend the flyweight title first then him, and I should fight for the interim. You know what, man? You call me out, you’ve got a target on you. That’s just the way I’ve always been. I never try to let someone go unpunished for the words, especially if they’re going to be one of the guys who are next in line. I have no trouble obliging. I’ve never been one to shy away from anybody.”

A recent string of tweets from Yan triggered Sterling to believe the Russian isn’t composing his own material. Sterling became suspicious after hearing Yan’s limited English on the microphone in Chicago earlier this month.

“I’m not sure what his deal is, but he’s been tweeting me non-stop,” Sterling said. “And I’m not even sure if it’s actually him, because he doesn’t really speak English. He gets on the post-fight interview, and he says ‘Hello Chicaga.’ That’s one give away right there. And I don’t think ‘Google Translate’ is that good to be doing as good of a job as he’s been doing on Twitter.”

Last week, Yan underwent surgery under his elbow and will be sidelined for four weeks as a result. “The Funkmaster” believes Yan’s injury could further propel him toward a paramount fight. With a major fight, comes a major reward.

“I know how the UFC operates, and it’s usually ‘what have you done for me lately,’” Sterling said. “So if guys are going to be injured and out for a long time, they will get passed up. I’m just making sure I’m healed up and ready to go for when that call comes.

“Because at the end of the day, I’m ready to become a world champion and get paid like a world champion. And, as Conor (McGregor) would say, I’m ready to change my bum life. Nah, I’m not living a bum life, but I’m ready to change my life (in other) words.”

Despite all of the back-and-forth, the tweets and the trash talk, Sterling recognized Yan is a world class fighter. However, Sterling still described himself as one step above his Russian counterpart.

“You don’t get to the top five of the UFC in any division without having some type of good technique,” Sterling said. “You might have a little bit of luck, a couple of good matchups. And maybe a couple of finishes, but he’s not that guy. He doesn’t have those. He just has decision performances. Like I said, I don’t see where he has goods for me. I think it would be a fun fight. I think he’s a tough dude.

“He’s world class, but at the end of the day, he ain’t me. I’m ‘The Funkmaster.’”

For more on the upcoming UFC schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.