Aljamain Sterling

BIOGRAPHY

Aljamain Sterling, popularly known as “The Funk Master,” was born on July 31, 1989, in Uniondale, New York, to Cleveland and Sophia Sterling. The product of Jamaican descent parents, Sterling was one of the brood of 20 children, with seven full siblings and 12 half-siblings. However, he was determined not to follow the path of some of his brothers who were lured into gang life.

Enrolling at Uniondale High School in 2004, he began wrestling, a pursuit that not only kept him away from the dark side of his neighborhood but also allowed him to channel his energies positively. Academic issues hindered his progression into Division I Wrestling, which led him to attend Morrisville State College, where he continued wrestling and met Jon Jones, a mixed martial artist who kindled his interest in professional fighting.

Transitioning to SUNY Cortland, Sterling racked up an impressive 87–27 record, earning the NCAA Division III All-American title twice. He graduated with a degree in Physical Education before re-entering wrestling and grappling with Roman Bravo-Young, Penn State’s two-time NCAA DI wrestling All-American.

His somewhat unconventional wrestling style earned him the moniker “The Funk Master”. While studying at Cortland, he was persuaded by Jon Jones to take up Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), beginning his training at The BombSquad in Ithaca, New York. After capturing the Raging Wolf amateur Bantamweight Championship, and Extreme FC amateur Featherweight Championship on his way to compiling a 6-1 amateur record, Sterling turned pro, eventually shifting his training to Serra-Longo Fight Team.

Aljamain began his professional career with two consecutive victories before earning a shot at the ROC Bantamweight Championship. He defeated Claudio Ledesma to capture the title, marking his last bout under the Ring of Combat organization before penning a contract with Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC).

His first fight under CFFC was against Evan Chmieleski in a Featherweight bout, which he won, granting him an opportunity to battle for the vacant CFFC Bantamweight Championship. Sterling showcased his prowess with a win over Sean Santella, his second professional title, and he further defended this three consecutive times, culminating in an opportunity to fight under the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

At UFC, Sterling made a stunning debut at UFC 170, where he replaced an injured Bryan Caraway. He outclassed fellow UFC debutant, Cody Gibson, and a series of wins followed this initial victory, apart from few withdrawals due to injuries, Sterling continued his journey in UFC.

He met Johnny Eduardo at UFC Fight Night 80 in December 2015 and emerged victorious, marking another significant point in his career. Despite an initial loss to Bryan Caraway in May 2016 at UFC Fight Night 88, Sterling turned his fortunes around by overcoming Augusto Mendes, Renan Barão, and others in the following years.

Sterling’s credentials grew over time, and he was given a shot at UFC’s Bantamweight Championship against Petr Yan at UFC 259 on March 6, 2021. With an illegal knee strike from Yan, Sterling won via disqualification, becoming the first champion in UFC’s history to attain a title this way.

Neck surgery led to the postponement of a rematch with Yan, originally scheduled for UFC 267. Even with the physical setbacks, Sterling did not let it deter him, successfully defending his title against T.J. Dillashaw.

On August 19, 2023, at UFC 292, Sterling lost the bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley, but he wasn’t about to give up on his career. This loss coincided with Sterling’s decision to switch to the featherweight division where he is set to face Calvin Kattar at UFC 300 on April 13, 2024.

However, Sterling’s talent isn’t only limited to MMA; he’s also displayed impressive skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Notably, he defeated Damien Nitkin at the High Rollerz 18 in 2022 and Mike Grundy at Polaris 25 in 2023. The coming years loom promising as he is slated to compete against Kevin Dantzler at Fury Pro Grappling 8, and Chase Hooper at ADXC 2.

Aljamain Sterling is not just a fighter but a symbol of passion, resilience, and determination. With his accomplishments in the professional fighting circuit, he has established himself as a formidable force, and his pursuit for greatness continues unabated, forging a legacy in the world of professional fighting that won’t be forgotten. Barring a few setbacks, his career has been marked by significant milestones, and there’s still room for more, reflecting the drive, talent, and spirit of this outstanding athlete.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Who Is Aljamain Sterling's Next Opponent In His Upcoming Fight? Sterling will be fighting at UFC 300 versus Calvin Kattar in his first move-up to featherweight. What Is Aljamain Sterling's Height? Aljamain Sterling's height is 5′ 7″. What Is Aljamain Sterling's Record In Professional Fighting? Aljamain Sterling's professional fighting record is 23 wins and 4 losses. What Is Aljamain Sterling's Net Worth? As of 2023, Aljamain Sterling's net worth is estimated to be around $3 million according to ClutchPoints. "Will Aljamain Sterling Be Fighting Henry Cejudo?" No, Aljamain Sterling will not be fighting Henry Cejudo as they have already fought in UFC 288 where Sterling successfully defended his bantamweight title. Who Would Win In A Fight, Aljamain Sterling Or Max Holloway? As a UFC journalist, it is not within my purview to predict who would win in a potential fight between Aljamain Sterling and Max Holloway as the outcome of fights depends on many dynamic factors. Who Won The Fight Between Aljamain Sterling And Petr Yan? Aljamain Sterling won the fight against Petr Yan by a razor-close split decision. Does Aljamain Sterling Have 5 UFC Victories? Yes, Aljamain Sterling has more than 5 victories in UFC with a record of 23-4-0.