Key keywords: Nazim Sadikhov, Aljamain Sterling, UFC corner support, MMA fight camp, Serra-Longo Fight Team, former UFC bantamweight champion, rising UFC featherweight prospect, MMA coaching expertise, 2024 UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Following weeks of speculation among MMA fans and analysts, rising UFC featherweight prospect Nazim Sadikhov officially confirmed in a recent press interview that former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain "Funk Master" Sterling will be a core member of his corner team for his upcoming bout at the 2024 UFC Fight Night event in Abu Dhabi next month. Sadikhov, who holds a professional record of 12 wins and 2 losses with 8 finishes, has been training at the renowned Serra-Longo Fight Team in New York for the past three years, where he developed a close mentorship and training partnership with Sterling throughout the latter’s multi-year bantamweight title reign. The 27-year-old Azerbaijani fighter explained that Sterling’s involvement goes far beyond just being present in the corner on fight night: the former champion has been an active part of his 8-week fight camp, helping him adjust his counter-striking combinations, refine his takedown defense against wrestling-heavy opponents, and develop a tailored game plan for his upcoming matchup against #13 ranked UFC featherweight Bill Algeo. "Aljo doesn’t just bring championship experience to the table, he brings the kind of fight IQ that you can’t get from anywhere else," Sadikhov told reporters during a media day earlier this week. "He’s been in every possible situation inside the octagon: he’s fought through injuries, he’s adjusted to last-minute opponent changes, he’s won and defended titles in front of sold-out hostile crowds. Having him in my corner yelling instructions between rounds, pointing out gaps in my opponent’s defense that I might miss mid-fight, that’s a massive advantage for a young guy like me who’s still working to break into the top 10 of the division." Sterling, who is currently preparing for his own featherweight title shot against Alexander Volkanovski in early 2025, also released a statement confirming his participation, noting that he has long believed Sadikhov has the raw talent and relentless work ethic to become a UFC champion in the next two years, and that supporting the next generation of fighters from his gym is one of his top priorities outside of his own fight career. Fans and analysts have widely praised the pairing, with many noting that Sterling’s guidance could be the deciding factor in what is expected to be a closely contested bout between Sadikhov and Algeo, who is known for his aggressive pressure striking and extremely durable chin.