“Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of being paid like NBA, NFL and soccer and baseball athletes. They have that cushion where they can kind of hang out. Even the guys on the bench. But for us, we don't fight, we don't get paid and that's the scary reality to it all.”

American professional mixed martial artist

Aljamain Sterling is an American professional mixed martial artist. He has competed in the UFC and, as of April 28, 2026, fights in the featherweight division. He is a former UFC bantamweight champion and a former Cage Fury Fighting Bantamweight Champion. Sterling is best known for becoming the first UFC champion to win a title by disqualification. His career has also included time in Cage Fury Fighting Championship before his rise in the UFC, and he is ranked #4 in the Meta UFC featherweight rankings as of April 28, 2026.