Quick Info
| Profession | Mixed martial artist |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 31/07/1989 |
| Age | 37 years |
| Birthplace | Uniondale, New York, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
Latest News about Aljamain Sterling
21/08/2026
Sterling disclosed on his YouTube channel that he had turned down a UFC fight offer against an opponent ranked outside the featherweight top 10. He said he had wanted a bout against Arnold Allen instead. He also indicated that he is now more selective about which fights he accepts at this stage of his career.
25/04/2026
Sterling returned to the Octagon in the main event of UFC Vegas 116 at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, moving up to featherweight. He won a unanimous decision over Youssef Zalal, with all three judges scoring it 49-45, and he ended Zalal's eight-fight unbeaten run. Afterward he called for a featherweight title shot against Alexander Volkanovski.
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Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Aljamain Antoine Sterling |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Funk Master |
| Summary | Professional mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is a former UFC Bantamweight Champion. |
| Fighting Out Of | Uniondale, New York, USA |
| Years Active | 2010-present |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 146 lb (66 kg) as listed for featherweight |
| Reach | 71 in (180 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
Educational Qualification(s)
| University | SUNY Cortland |
|---|---|
| Degree | Bachelor of Science in Physical Education |
| High School | Uniondale High School |
Personal Life
| Partner | Rebecca Cruz |
|---|---|
| Background | Born to Jamaican parents and raised in Uniondale on Long Island; began wrestling as a teenager and turned to the sport to stay away from gang life. |
Relationships & More
| Team | Serra-Longo Fight Team |
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| Coaches |
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| Notable Rivals |
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Family
| Father | Cleveland Sterling |
|---|---|
| Mother | Sophie Sterling |
| Siblings | Seven full siblings and at least 12 half-siblings |
Career
| Professional Debut | April 22, 2011 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Promotions | Ring of Combat and Cage Fury Fighting Championships | ||||||||
| Cage Fury Fighting Championships | Former Bantamweight Champion | ||||||||
| UFC Debut | February 22, 2014, defeating Cody Gibson by decision | ||||||||
| UFC Bantamweight Title Win | UFC 259 in March 2021 by disqualification of Petr Yan | ||||||||
| Title Defenses |
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| Title Loss | UFC 292 (August 2023), KO/TKO loss to Sean O'Malley | ||||||||
| Current Division | Featherweight | ||||||||
| Record | 26 wins, 5 losses | ||||||||
| Win Methods |
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| Latest Fight | UFC Vegas 116 (25/04/2026), unanimous decision over Youssef Zalal |
Style Quotient
| Style | Grappling-first, with submission grappling, collegiate wrestling and chain wrestling |
|---|---|
| Black Belt | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Matt Serra |
| Known For | Unorthodox, off-balance grappling and high-control top game |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. He is the first UFC champion to win a title by disqualification. | |
| 2. He was a two-time NCAA Division III All-American at SUNY Cortland. | |
| 3. He set the UFC bantamweight division record for most title defenses. | |
| 4. He was first introduced to mixed martial arts by watching The Ultimate Fighter and training interest linked to Jon Jones. | |
| 5. He won the Raging Wolf amateur Bantamweight Championship and the Extreme FC amateur Featherweight Championship. |
Social Media