Will Aljamain Sterling find fame on Saturday?
Undefeated bantamweight Akjamain Sterling fights #6 ranked Takeya Mizugaki on the undercard of UFC on FOX 15 on Saturday.
UG Blog guest blogger Daniel Caton interviews UFC bantamweight Aljamain Sterling.
UFC on FOX 15 on April 18th is so stacked that a top-10 fighter is taking on one of MMA’s top prospects in Aljamain Sterling, on the undercard. #6 ranked bantamweight Takeya Mizugaki won six in a row before getting stopped hard by Dominick Cruz in his last fight. On Saturday, he’ll be taking on undefeated Aljamain Sterling, an opponent that many believe has a date for a title shot. Sterling, 25, is a former college wrestler, fighting out of one the premiere fight camps in the sport, Serra-Longo.
The vast majority of UFC fighters only have a one-year career. The cold truth is that most fighters don’t make it to their second contract. And it’s not until the second, or even the third contract, that fighters start to make money. That’s why sponsorships play such a pivotal role in a fighter’s ability to make it out of that first year and first contract.
Aljamain Sterling is a premiere prospect in the bantamweight division. The two-time NCAA Division III All-American from Morrisville State College, by his own admission, has never had great sprawl defense. Instead, he employed a variety of funk rolls to combat the shot. And from that, the Funkmaster was born.
Outside the Octagon, you won’t find him wrecking cars, partying, or anything out of the ordinary. Like many first-contract fighters, Aljo has a second job and sometimes a third, to help cover the cost of training.
Its tough man, you’ve got to get another job,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to go through college and get a degree, in Physical Education. So when I came back home, I was able to get a coaching job. But even that’s just for two to two and half months. I also sub as a teacher, but even that cuts into your training. I had to deal with that for my debut; find a training partner to fit into your schedule while you’re working. Fighting is a full-time job at this level. I’m smart with my money; I don’t go out and spend it. I’m hoping that this fight changes me financially and puts me in a better situation that I’m living in now.”
This is the third fight on his contract, and he understands that it can change the whole dynamics on what the figures are for his second contract. And a win over the ranked Mizugaki could also be huge in terms of his cut from the the Reebok sponsorship.
I asked him about the impact of the Reebok Deal and whether he has had lost sponsors over it?
For me not really,” he said. “I haven’t fought since last July. I haven’t been able to get monthly sponsorships anyways. So technically I haven’t been able to get any money outside of work to begin with. It sucks right now, but at the end of the day, our job is to fight. So we fight to get paid; hopefully if you’re good enough, where you have that aura about you. Some companies may want to jump on. Maybe Reebok wants to make you one of their marquee guys.
So right now, I have Nüe Resource Funding and Everlast Capital Company. They’re taking care of me right now. They are giving me the money to eat and get by for this camp. I hope to develop a long-term relationship with those guys, they’ve been great. They make sure I’m well taken care of.
Sterling is a top-flight prospect who lacks time to procure sponsorships. He’s fighting, training, and working multiple jobs. We still don’t know how the Reebok deal will pan out. But it can help fighters like Sterling, that are struggling to get to that second contract.
You say things, you believe things and sometimes they can come out wrong,” he said. “But in my opinion I feel I match up with anyone there well. I feel I can beat anyone of those guys on any given night. You need confidence to win fights. You go in there with any bit of doubt and that one second of lapse can end your night. I can’t wait for my work to speak for itself. I know when I’m on, I can beat anyone.
Many were surprised that Mizugaki even took the fight; he has nothing to gain from a win and so much to lose. Sterling was shocked too, as he was slated for the Dallas card that fell through and ended up with a better fight and opportunity against the #7 ranked bantamweight.
Aljamain Sterling is the epitome of a hungry prospect.
I just keep my head down and work,” he said.
The Reebok deal can help fighters like Aljamain, and give them the means to focus on fighting. Breaking into the top 10 means widespread recognition you’re one of the best in the world. It can lead to the big league payday everyone is fighting for. If Aljo wins on Saturday he is an 11-0 fighter that the UFC can’t afford to lose to another company. Hopefully Reebok sees it that way too. Why not invest in a guy that will probably headline within two to four fights?
Aljamain Sterling fights Takeya Mizugaki on the opening slot of the prelim card on FOX at 6:00 p.m.
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