"Fighting does not last forever" - Aljamain Sterling gives advice for young fighters coming up in MMA
Aljamain Sterling has offered advice to young MMA fighters about making money while fighting.
It feels like Sterling was making his UFC debut against Cody Gibson just the other week. Eight and a half years later, 'Funk Master' has evolved into the UFC bantamweight champion, who has defended the title twice, racking up plenty of experience in the fight business.
THE BW KING REIGNS SUPREME 👑
@FunkMasterMMA gets it done over TJ Dillashaw!! #UFC280 https://t.co/UGjTI0YBQC
During a recent YouTube video, the 33-year-old used his experience and had this to say about fighters taking care of their money:
"This is advice I would give to all these athletes that are coming up or all these athletes that are currently in the UFC or wherever it is. Look after yourself. Fighting does not last forever. You're going to get older. You gotta make sure you are financially stable for the rest of your life, or at least, the very least; you wanna make sure the money that you make from these combat sports can at least set yourself up for a five-year period where you can figure out your next plan."
Sterling's recent title defense against T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 280 was somewhat disappointing, considering Dillashaw entered the fight with a severe pre-existing shoulder injury. Nonetheless, 'Funk Master' retained the title and now waits for whoever the UFC gives the title shot next.
Watch Aljamain Sterling give advice to young MMA fighters below:
Aljamain Sterling says Sean O'Malley 'would not be a super easy fight'
Sean O'Malley shocked the MMA community by scoring a split-decision win against former champion Petr Yan at UFC 280. Speculation about O'Malley getting the next bantamweight title shot has ramped up now that he's the number one contender.
During a YouTube video, Aljamain Sterling had this to say about potentially fighting O'Malley:
"This would not be a super easy fight for me with O'Malley. Don't get it twisted. Don't think just because I did what I did and Yan took him [O'Malley] down that you guys think it's gonna be easy. You have to get to those positions... You have to close the gap on a guy who's so much longer than I am, and he's got the leverage."
'Funk Master' can't seem to catch a break when it comes to MMA fans giving him respect. That said, Sterling's legacy can only be denied for so long. A few more title defenses will surely put him amongst the best bantamweights of all time.
"BASED ON WHAT?"
Aljamain Sterling thinks it's crazy for T.J. Dillashaw to call himself the bantamweight GOAT and has another name in mind.
Do you agree? #UFC280 https://t.co/xX9O4jlrzn