"When he gets out in public, he doesn't do himself any favors" - Dana White on why Aljamain Sterling does not get credit despite having defended his title

Despite being the bantamweight champion, Dana White believes Aljamain Sterling doesn't get the credit he deserves from fans—not because of his fighting style—but because of how he portrays himself in public.

'Funk Master' has been in the UFC for over eight years and has fought some of the very best 135ers the promotion has to offer. Although he has an elite 13-3 record inside the octagon, many still share their doubts about the champion of Jamaican descent. This forces him to prove them wrong each time he steps into the cage.

When questioned about Aljamain Sterling not receiving as much respect from fans as he maybe should have, Dana White claimed the grappling wizard "doesn't do himself any favors" when he speaks his mind in public:

"Who knows [if the fans will respect him more with a win over T.J. Dillashaw]? Aljamain has one of those personalities. When you're one-on-one with Aljamain, he's a great kid, [but] when he gets out in public, he doesn't do himself any favors, let's just put it that way."

Regardless of whether you're a huge fan or dislike the titleholder, it's hard to deny his wrestling expertise inside the octagon. On October 22, Aljamain Sterling will put his bantamweight strap on the line when he comes face-to-face with T.J. Dillashaw in the co-main event of UFC 280.

'Killashaw' is hoping to reclaim the title he never lost. Despite his high-level grappling credentials, he will have to be at his best to get the better of the exchanges with the champion.

Check out what Dana White had to say about the fans' perception of Sterling in the video below:

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What is the recent controversy surrounding Aljamain Sterling that has fans raging?

Since entering the title picture, Aljamain Sterling has never been too far away from controversy. Despite gaining fans following his clean win against Petr Yan last time out, his recent comments may have turned them against him.

While speaking to fans on social media, the 33-year-old was attacked for his views on assault. Although he later clarified that he does not agree with Andrew Tate's outlook on the situation, he did get on the supporters' bad side by making such a bold statement.

"With all the mental health issues and predators out there, why walk home by yourself at odd hours of the night, in sketchy places?"

Aljamain Sterling

@funkmasterMMA

100% correct. Also said was, with all the mental health issues, and predators out there, why walk home by yourself at odd hours of the night, in sketchy places?

That was the responsibility he mentioned for making safe decisions, which makes sense, although doesn’t justify rape twitter.com/goshinby/statu…

Goshinby

@Goshinby

@funkmasterMMA I don't like the dude because he said that if a woman dressed somewhat nicely gets r*ped, it's up to her to bear responsibility. That shit doesn't even make sense and is just a flat-out gross thing to say.

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@funkmasterMMA I don't like the dude because he said that if a woman dressed somewhat nicely gets r*ped, it's up to her to bear responsibility. That shit doesn't even make sense and is just a flat-out gross thing to say.

100% correct. Also said was, with all the mental health issues, and predators out there, why walk home by yourself at odd hours of the night, in sketchy places?

That was the responsibility he mentioned for making safe decisions, which makes sense, although doesn’t justify rape twitter.com/goshinby/statu…

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