Aljamain Sterling is a Jamaican-American mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current UFC Bantamweight Champion. He also competed for Cage Fury Fighting Championship, where he is the former Cage Fury Fighting Championship Bantamweight Champion. As of October 24, 2022, he is #8 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.
During his time in college years, Sterling developed an interest in MMA. Within his freshmen year, he became a two-time NCAA Division III All-American. He also competed in wrestling throughout his amateur career. In 2009, Sterling made his amateur career debut in MMA. In 2011, the boxer made his professional MMA debut under the UCC banner. Defeating Sergio da Silva via unanimous decision the won his debut match in the UCC 4 event. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He earned the nickname “The Funk Master” from his unorthodox wrestling style.
Aljamain Sterling Known For
- Aljamain Sterling is a professional mixed martial artist.
- He is the current UFC Bantamweight Champion.
What is Aljamain Sterling’s Real Name?
Born on July 31, 1989, Aljamain Sterling is from Uniondale, Nassau County, New York, United States His real name is Aljamain Antoine Sterling. His present age is 33 as of 2022. His zodiac sign is Leo and he follows Christianity religion. He is the son of Cleveland Sterling (father), and Sophie Sterling (mother). He grew up with his seven siblings. He has at least 12 half-siblings. By nationality, he is American and his ethnicity is Mixed as he is of Jamaican descent.
He attended Uniondale High School, a public school in his hometown of Uniondale. Later, he joined Morrisville State College, a public college in Morrisville, New York. After his freshman year, he had taken a transfer to the State University of New York College at Cortland, a public college in Cortland, New York. He graduated from there with a bachelor’s degree in physical education.
Aljamain Sterling Career Timeline
- Initially, Aljamain Sterling left The BombSquad and started training at Serra-Longo Fight Team.
- He started his amateur career in 2009 and compiled a 6-1 amateur record with the lone loss.
- During that time, he also captured the Raging Wolf amateur Bantamweight Championship and Extreme FC amateur Featherweight Championship.
- He defeated Claudio Ledesma to capture the title – ROC Bantamweight Championship.
- He would later sign with Cage Fury Fighting Championships and made his CFFC debut in a Featherweight bout against Evan Chmieleski which he won. This victory earned him a shot at the vacant CFFC Bantamweight Championship.
- Then, he defeated Sean Santella via a unanimous decision to capture his second professional title.
- After that, he defends the CFFC Bantamweight Championship on three occasions.
- He next finished all three of his title defenses by rear naked choke, which earned him the opportunity to compete in the UFC.
UFC
- He made his UFC debut at UFC 170 against Lucas Martins which he won.
- His next UFC match came on July 16, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 45 against Hugo Viana.
- After that, he fought against Takeya Mizugaki which Sterling won.
- He won the fight against Johnny Eduardo on 10th December 2015.
- He next faced Bryan Caraway on May 29, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 88. Sterling lost the fight.
- He lost the fight via a split decision against Raphael Assunção on 28th January 2017.
- Then, he won his fight against Augusto Mendes on 15th April 2017.
- He won the bout by unanimous decision against Renan Barao on 29th July 2017.
- He lost the fight via KO in the first round against Marlon Moraes.
- He faced Brett Johns on April 21, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 128 which Sterling won. The win was followed by the fight against Cody Stamann on 8th September 2018.
- He faced and won against Jimmie Rivera on February 17, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 1.
- After that, he faced Pedro Munhoz on June 8, 2019, at UFC 238 which he won.
- Next, he faced Cory Sandhagen on June 6, 2020, at UFC 250 in a bout that UFC president Dana White confirmed to be a bantamweight title eliminator. He won the bout via submission in the first round.
- He won against Petr Yan on March 6, 2021, at UFC 259. He won by disqualification due to an intentional illegal knee in the fourth round, becoming the new UFC Bantamweight Champion. He became the first fighter in UFC history to win a championship by disqualification.
- Sterling won a rematch against Petr Yan on UFC 273 on April 9 and defended the title via split decision.
- He successfully defended his title against T.J. Dillashaw on October 22, 2022, at UFC 280. He won the one-sided bout after a recurring shoulder injury for Dillashaw caused him to dislocate his shoulder in the first round and again in the second, Sterling won via TKO in the second round.
- Regarding his MMA record, he has fought 25 matches till now out of which he wins 22 and lost 3 fights at the time of writing.
Awards and Achievements
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC Bantamweight Championship (One time, current)
- Two successful title defenses
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Cory Sandhagen
- Tied (T.J. Dillashaw) for most wins in UFC Bantamweight division history (13)
- Longest win streak in UFC Bantamweight division history (8)
Cage Fury Fighting Championships
- CFFC Bantamweight Championship (One time)
- Three successful title defenses
Ring of Combat
- ROC Bantamweight Championship (One time)
MMAJunkie.com
- 2018 Submission of the Year vs. Cody Stamann
- 2020 June Submission of the Month vs. Cory Sandhagen
Cageside Press
- 2020 “Submission of the Year” vs. Cory Sandhagen, tied with Khabib Nurmagomedov and A.J. McKee
What is Aljamain Sterling’s Net Worth?
Aljamain Sterling is a mixed martial artist whose net worth is estimated to have $2 Million as of 2022. He made this fortune from his MMA bouts. He is making his annual salary is $100K at present. In his UFC fight, which was against Petr Yan, Sterling earned a mouthwatering $792,000 (estimated). It was arguably the biggest fight deal of his MMA career. He is currently in partnership with BodyArmor, Draftkings, and P3. Also, some of his sponsors include Everlast, Trojan, Findlay Toyota, and Speedy Bear. His main source of wealth comes from his fighting career and he is living a lavish lifestyle at present. He also has a car collection and lives in a luxurious mansion.
Who is Aljamain Sterling’s Girlfriend?
Aljamain Sterling is currently in a relationship and he is dating his long-term beautiful girlfriend, Rebecca Cruz. Since 2011, they are together and celebrate their anniversary on the 2nd of January each passing year. The duo is engaged. Cruz has always been supportive of him and has helped him emotionally. His sexual orientation is straight and he is not gay.
Rebecca Cruz is an American Beauty Fitness Expert. Rebecca and Aljamain have been together for almost 10 years. The couple has been recently engaged and made their engagement viral through social media. She has got her own cosmetic company named NYX Professional Makeup which has been doing good business recently.
Aljamain Sterling Height and Weight
Aljamain Sterling stands at the height of 5 ft 7 in or 170 cm and his body weight consist of 61 kg or 134.5 lbs. His highest reach is 5 ft 11 in or 180.5 cm. His body type is bodybuilder and muscular. His hair color is black and his eye color is dark brown. He has frizzy hair and a thick beard. He has got a healthy body at present.
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