UFC Champ Reveals: Mental Warfare in Business & MMA | Aljamain Sterling DSH #991

Summary

Digital Social Hour: UFC Champ Reveals: Mental Warfare in Business & MMA | Aljamain Sterling DSH #991

Release Date: December 18, 2024

In this compelling episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly sits down with UFC Champion Aljamain Sterling to delve deep into the mental and physical challenges of both the MMA arena and the business world. Sterling shares personal anecdotes, insights into his training regimen, financial realities of professional fighting, and his perspectives on the future of the sport.

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1. Natural Talent and Work Ethic

Aljamain Sterling begins by reflecting on his innate abilities and the importance of dedication in achieving success.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:32] Aljamain Sterling: "I guess I feel like I did naturally have a good IQ over most people in terms of combat, but naturally I feel like I'm above the pack. I was kind of solid at coming out of the gate."
• [00:46] Aljamain Sterling: "Yeah, everything is work ethic, man. Like everyone could throw punches, everyone could throw knees, everyone could throw kicks. But it's about how you train, how you prepare yourself and get ready for the mental and physical warfare."

Sterling emphasizes that while natural talent provides a foundation, relentless work ethic and preparation are crucial for excelling in both MMA and business ventures like his liquor brand.

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2. Navigating Defeat and Resilience

Sterling candidly discusses a recent setback outside the octagon—a poker game loss—that serves as a metaphor for the unpredictability and challenges in his career.

Notable Quotes:

• [01:07] Aljamain Sterling: "I thought I was gonna make it to the final table, but I didn't. Did not make it to the final table."
• [02:07] Aljamain Sterling: "I was shot. I was shot. I didn't have no chance to just take him down and rest. It was constant action the entire time."

This segment highlights Sterling's ability to maintain composure and learn from losses, reinforcing the importance of mental toughness.

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3. The Toughest Fight: Overcoming Injury

Reflecting on his fight against Pedro Munoz, Sterling shares the hardships of competing with an injury and the strategic adjustments he had to make.

Notable Quotes:

• [04:51] Aljamain Sterling: "I tore my scaphoid lunate ligament probably in 2015. I fought him in 2019 and it got progressively worse."
• [07:04] Aljamain Sterling: "Just non-stop action. I think we actually set the record for bantamweight strikes in 15 minutes."

Sterling's resilience and adaptability were put to the test, resulting in a grueling match that ultimately pushed him to become a better fighter.

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4. The Mental Game in Fighting

Sterling delves into the psychological aspects of MMA, discussing how mental readiness can influence the outcome of a fight.

Notable Quotes:

• [07:19] Aljamain Sterling: "Mind games are a very big part of competing. You can do all the physical stuff, but if your mind's not in the right place, bad things will happen."
• [09:10] Aljamain Sterling: "That's exactly what happened on the night the better man won that night."

He underscores the significance of maintaining focus and adhering to a game plan to avoid costly mistakes during high-stakes encounters.

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5. Financial Realities of MMA Fighters

Sterling opens up about the financial struggles many fighters face, especially those not at the top of the rankings, contrasting it with other sports like boxing and team leagues.

Notable Quotes:

• [10:48] Aljamain Sterling: "We're literally fighting for our next paycheck to possibly last us maybe the next year."
• [12:09] Aljamain Sterling: "We're literally fighting for our next paycheck to possibly last us maybe the next year."

He highlights the disparity in earnings and the additional financial burdens fighters bear, such as training expenses and travel costs, which add significant pressure to perform and secure wins.

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6. Perspectives on Semen Retention and Lifestyle Choices

Sterling shares his personal stance on practices like semen retention, deeming them ineffective for his performance.

Notable Quotes:

• [13:59] Aljamain Sterling: "I think it's bullshit. I've tried it. I felt no difference."
• [14:18] Aljamain Sterling: "I have a nice fiancée, you know, I think it's completely, completely different thing. I go home and attack my fiancée, soon-to-be wife."

This candid conversation sheds light on the varying beliefs athletes hold regarding personal performance and mental well-being.

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7. Future Plans and Legacy in MMA

Looking ahead, Sterling discusses his aspirations beyond fighting, including potential roles in commentary and his desire to see improved financial structures within the UFC.

Notable Quotes:

• [18:33] Aljamain Sterling: "I would love for one day to commentate and be able to see these guys getting paid hundreds of thousands, millions."
• [19:54] Aljamain Sterling: "I don't know if there's a word for that."

Sterling expresses a keen interest in contributing to the sport's growth and ensuring that future fighters receive the recognition and compensation they deserve.

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8. Balancing Personal Life and Professional Demands

Sterling emphasizes the importance of family and the challenges fighters face in maintaining a balance between their careers and personal lives.

Notable Quotes:

• [17:29] Aljamain Sterling: "How would you feel if I were to fight Mosar Evloev and retire after that?"
• [17:30] Aljamain Sterling: "I would rather be able to play with my kids and enjoy their life and teach them things."

He underscores the significance of having a support system and the desire to be present for his future family, highlighting the sacrifices made in pursuit of athletic excellence.

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Conclusion

Aljamain Sterling's conversation on this episode of Digital Social Hour offers an unfiltered look into the mindset of a top-tier UFC fighter. From grappling with personal and financial challenges to contemplating life beyond the octagon, Sterling provides valuable insights into the intricate balance between ambition, resilience, and personal fulfillment. His reflections serve as inspiration not only for aspiring fighters but for anyone striving to excel in their chosen field through dedication and mental fortitude.

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Note: Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections from the transcript have been excluded to maintain focus on the substantive discussions between Sean Kelly and Aljamain Sterling.

Transcript

[Host]

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[Interviewer]

Like, how much natural talent did you have?

[Aljamain Sterling]

I guess I feel like I did naturally have a good IQ over most people in terms of combat, but naturally I feel like I above the pack. I was kind of solid at coming out of the gate.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, yeah. And that's your work ethic is what took you to that champion.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Yeah, everything is work ethic, man. Like everyone could throw punches, everyone could throw knees, everyone could throw kicks. But it's about how you train, how you prepare yourself and get ready for the mental and physical warfare.

[Interviewer]

All right, guys, got Al Jermaine Sterling here, got his liquor brand and we're at the CPT here. You just busted out, right?

[Aljamain Sterling]

Damn, that sounds crazy when you say it like that. I thought I was gonna make it to the final table, but I didn't. Did not make it to the final table.

[Interviewer]

Was it a bad beat or were you outplayed?

[Aljamain Sterling]

I was outlooked by Cardell Jones for the, I think maybe the fourth time on the table. I think I had him beat until he beat me pause on the river three times in a row and then the fourth one sent me home.

[Interviewer]

Damn.

[Aljamain Sterling]

So just imagine that. Like I just didn't. I kept slow rolling him and everybody else and then he just kept catching it on the river every single time. Like, dude, this is absurd. Luck.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Percentages is just crazy. That shouldn't happen.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Are you big on poker? You play outside of this?

[Aljamain Sterling]

No, just this. Just this. Otherwise I would have bet heavy on the first on the, on the river and then hopefully not the river, the flop, Right. I would have bet heavy on the flop and then maybe I would have scared him off, but unfortunately I slow rolled him and then he just stuck around long enough to win the hand.

[Interviewer]

I feel that. Damn, man. Shit.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Cold blooded.

[Interviewer]

It happens. Any fights coming up?

[Aljamain Sterling]

October 5th, Salt Lake City, UFC 307 is going down, taking on Mosar Eve Loeweva. And I can't wait to take that off.

[Interviewer]

Let's go. Also, your teammate Merab's got a fight coming up. He's fighting for the belt, right?

[Aljamain Sterling]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

What's it like being able to be in his corner for that fight?

[Aljamain Sterling]

Just like every other fight, you know, I Try to remind him, like, this is just like everything else. Just be you, take your time. And if I can give you any type of advice, do not rush in and then lay an egg in the middle of rushing in and then realize that you're about to get clapped. No Diddy. So just don't make those mistakes. And I think it'd be a good night for us.

[Interviewer]

Boom.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Especially for him.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. When you were first starting out, were you just really good at first or did you have like, how much natural talent did you have?

[Aljamain Sterling]

I guess, I mean, wrestling wise, I feel like I did naturally have a good IQ over most people in terms of combat, but of course it takes time to develop that and you start to learn more tricks and things and as you train more. But naturally I feel like I above the pack, I was kind of solid at coming out of the gate.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, yeah. And then your work ethic is what took you to that champ level.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Yeah, everything is work ethic, man. Like everyone could throw punches, everyone could throw knees, everyone could throw kicks. But it's about how you train, how you prepare yourself and get ready for the mental and physical warfare.

[Interviewer]

Right. So. And you're friends with a lot of the champions. Do you see any similarities in all them other training and all that?

[Aljamain Sterling]

I would say so. I think the. The main thing is knowing what you need to do versus having someone always telling you. It's one thing to have your coaches there that can kind of let you know and guide you, but it's another thing to kind of have a. An idea of what you should do and where you should be at. Like, I've always been very, I don't want to say self trained, but for the most part, kind of like dictating how my camp should go, what I need to work on, because I'm honest with the things I need to work on. I know I need to work on my striking. I know I need to get better in these other avenues, but for the most part, I know how to prepare to win with the tools that I have that I was blessed with.

[Interviewer]

Right. That's good that you know your weaknesses because some people won't acknowledge that. Right. And that's their weakness.

[Aljamain Sterling]

100%. And that's the problem. If you can't be real to yourself, then how are you going to go out there and win? Because time and time again.

[Interviewer]

Right. Because each fight is so different. Right?

[Aljamain Sterling]

Yes.

[Interviewer]

You're training for a whole new fight.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Yep, 100%. Each one comes with a new puzzle, a new riddle. You got to try to solve and hopefully you do your best. Trying to leave no stones unturned and get ready for that, that math equation and hopefully you have the answers.

[Interviewer]

Absolutely. Who's been your toughest fight so far?

[Aljamain Sterling]

Toughest fight in terms of like competing the whole fight, I would say Pedro Munoz, because for that fight I actually tore my scaphoid lunate ligament probably in 2015. I fought him in 2019 and it got progressively worse. So by time that fight came along, I couldn't really rely on my wrestling, so I shot a couple times, but he just kind of stuffed the takedowns. But I kind of knew going into it, like, I'm gonna have to use this to blanket what I'm trying to do, which is score some points. He's not going to quit. I know I wasn't a knockout fighter. Like, I wasn't hitting knockout punches, one punch, knockout, things like that.

[Interviewer]

This episode of Digital Social Hour is brought to you by BetterHelp, making it easy and affordable to access online therapy. Give it a [e-mail] DSH and get on your way to being your best self. The holidays are a tricky time of the year for a lot of people, and I like to stay cozy and warm at home with my favorite movies and a warm blanket and and also some BetterHelp. With a lot of time to reflect during the winter months, therapy is a great way to embrace what's on our mind and find comfort that doesn't leave us even as the holidays fade away. Even if you've never tried therapy or always wondered about its effects, Better Help's online therapy option can be a helpful tool to learn about positive coping mechanisms and set boundaries that will aid you in years and events to come. It doesn't just take trauma to make therapy worthwhile, as we want to empower everyone to be the best version of themselves. If you're thinking about therapy, give BetterHelp a try with its online platform designed to be convenient and suited to your schedule. All you have to do is fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist with the freedom to switch therapists anytime for no additional charge. Find peace and comfort this December with BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.comDSHTODAY to get 10% off your first month. That's BetterHelp. H-E-L-P.comDSH and I knew Pedro wasn't gonna.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Walk into a shot for me to knock him out like that, so I knew I had to be ready for 15 minutes and that was probably my most action packed, Fun fight for 15 minutes straight. Just non stop action. I think we actually set the record for bantamweight strikes in 15 minutes.

[Interviewer]

Wow. So you were gassed by the end of that one.

[Aljamain Sterling]

I was shot. I was shot. I didn't have no chance to just take him down and rest. It was constant action the entire time. And I felt like that fight made me come out the other side a better. A better fight.

[Interviewer]

Wow. So that was like a stamina fight. Like who could last longer, right?

[Aljamain Sterling]

Oh, 100%.

[Interviewer]

You guys were both trying to tire each other out playing like a mind game. Right. And that's the side of the fight people don't see. The mind game.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Yeah, Mind games are very. A very big part of competing. You can do all the physical stuff, but if your mind's not in the. In the right place. And I kind of remind myself of the. I remind myself, but I point to the omalley fight just not having your mind in the right place, like you could do all the physical work. Like, even though I try to trick myself as best as I can that you're ready to go, if your mind and your spirit's not in the right place, ready to compete and you're not in the right head space, bad things will happen. And that's exactly what happened on the night the better man won that night. So you kind of have to just make sure you're all dialed in from a physical, mental and spiritual front. And that's just the way I typically like to approach the game. And I think that's what helped me get to the top to begin with.

[Interviewer]

Wow. So that O'Malley fight, you didn't feel there mentally?

[Aljamain Sterling]

Nah. I mean, the first round I did what I needed to do. Like I stuck to the game plan. And then round two, I don't know what it was. In between rounds, I asked my coaches, was around coast, do you think I won? I forgot what they said in between rounds, but I was in my head. I just kind of flipped the switch and I was like, I'm just going to go forward and try to gas pedal him. And I just wanted to be out of the cage. And unfortunately, that was completely against the game plan and I paid for it. So it's just one of those things, like you have a game plan, you have a recipe for success. All three judges had me winning that round and of course we didn't even get to go to a second round past the second round, I should say. So if I just stuck to the game plan I think if I were to keep it the same way, it would have been a boring fight, but I think I would have gotten the job done. But again, once you make that decision to make a certain type of move, which I did through a cross, miscalculated the distance, didn't roll my head afterwards, just kind of stood there, froze, and got capitalized on a good counter striker, and he won the fight.

[Interviewer]

Damn. Do you see fighters have that moral dilemma of, okay, I can win this, but it'll be boring, but if I make this entertaining, my money might go up later down the road.

[Aljamain Sterling]

I don't know if there's fighters that are thinking, like, if I make this entertaining, my money goes up, down the line. Unless you're Michael Chandler. And no disrespect to him because he fights. He said, I'm here for a good time, not for a long time. Like, he wears his heart on his. On his sleeve. He goes out there, he's just looking to entertain. From beginning of the belt all the way to the end. I don't fight like that. I didn't get to the top by fighting like that. And it's hard to say. I don't think many guys are fighting like that with that thought process.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Aljamain Sterling]

And if you are, then more proud to you. But at the end of the day, is winning, winning at the end of the day, nobody is going to go back in time and go, but that was a boring fight. You're going to look and see who won, who lost, and that's going to be your curriculum to judge who is the best at a certain time period in a certain time.

[Interviewer]

Fair enough.

[Aljamain Sterling]

That's the way I look at it.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Well, you see Khabib, who's undefeated, but then you see the trolls online that are like, his fights were boring, so he's not the goat.

[Aljamain Sterling]

You could say his fights were boring, but he was very dominant. So it's like, what's better, being dominant or being super entertaining and flashy and making it a bar fight and then having to go home, possibly losing, getting half your paycheck and then maybe going home with stitches in your face.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Oh. So if you lose, it's half.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Half your paycheck. Usually.

[Interviewer]

Damn.

[Aljamain Sterling]

So.

[Interviewer]

So there's a lot on the line when it comes to winning and losing then 100%.

[Aljamain Sterling]

So, you know, that's one thing I do wish the fans would understand. It's not like we're NBA NFL soccer players playing in the leagues overseas, where we can make all this millions, and it doesn't matter what you do in there, just go out there and have fun and go crazy as you can. We're literally fighting for our next paycheck to possibly last us maybe the next year. Especially for me coming to New York, like living and growing up in New York, for me to have one fight and it doesn't go my way like eh, half that paycheck.

[Interviewer]

Right. Doesn't that affects you?

[Aljamain Sterling]

It affects you a lot. So especially when you're coming up like now. I'm in a different tax bracket, so I'm fortunate and blessed that I've been able to win as many fights as I did and accomplish what I've been able to accomplish. But for the most part, the average guy in New York, I know people might say you could just move out of New York. Yeah, I'm going to tell my coaches to leave your wife and your children and just come move with me and come do all these things in another state. Yeah, doesn't work like that, you know. So with that said, it's just a very tough place. And that's why I do appreciate being able to grow up in New York because I know how gritty it could be, how tough it could be. And I think that's where I kind of learned to be who I am today.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, New York ain't cheap. So when you see these crazy bags in boxing, what goes through your head?

[Aljamain Sterling]

How are we not getting that way more fun, way more entertaining, multiple ways to win. These guys in there rigging fights and, and somehow some way they're getting paid millions on millions and it's usually just the main event, maybe the co main. Well, we have a stacked card and all these guys are so talented and we get a fraction, a small a fraction of a fraction of what these guys are getting. Yeah, of course I'm in a different place. I'm talking about for the guys who are just coming in on their first fight where they're making 10 and 10. I don't know if it went up to 12 and 12 yet, but when I came in I made 8 and 8.

[Interviewer]

Damn.

[Aljamain Sterling]

You know, so 8,000 to show up, make weight, 8,000 to show up in the cage and then if I win I would get that other 8,000. So 8 and 8 and then you have to pay your expenses or everything that you pay to get to the fight flights for your extra coaches because they typically only pay for one fighter, one coach, one hotel room. So people that don't want to sleep on top of each other because they need a little Bit of, you know, comfort, whatever. You want to be weird or do some other stuff in your corner and play with your johnson. You get another room. So you pay for another room, you pay for another flight for your third, and it adds up really, really quick. So you're looking at 8 and 8, and that's before taxes and that's before all your expenses to get to the fight, you know. So it's been a grind, like I said, growing up in New York, it's very expensive compared to most other fighters that live in other states. And again, I can only just chop it up to being blessed and feeling like I've been highly favored. And I don't take that for granted. So hopefully there's another belt in my future and we can keep going from there.

[Interviewer]

I love it. Sounds like you don't participate in semen retention leading up to the fights. Do you think it's bullshit or.

[Aljamain Sterling]

I think it's bullshit. I've tried it. I felt no difference. I went off the rails. I felt no difference. I said, okay, that's it, man. Why am I gonna cut myself short from having fun if it's not really? I don't say not really, but it's not, at least for me, it's not affecting me.

[Interviewer]

It's probably a mental thing.

[Aljamain Sterling]

I think so, 100%. I think the problem is if you're going out, you're staying up all night chasing tail, you got a nice girl at home like I do. I got a nice fiance, you know, I think it's completely, completely different thing. I go home and attack my, my fiance, soon to be wife.

[Interviewer]

I feel that that's the way to do it. So if you ever have kids, which hopefully you do, would you ever let them get into fighting?

[Aljamain Sterling]

I would not let my kids fight unless I felt they were putting in the same work that I was putting in, especially at 21. When I was 21, I was in college, full time college student. I was coaching part time and I was training myself full time, doing two sessions a day. And I was a different beast back then compared to what I am now. Like now I'm more educated, I'm more experienced, so I know when to push, push, pull. Of course, your body doesn't bounce back the way it does at 21, but back then, different, different animal. Just very inexperienced, but different animal. You could hit this guy with a kitchen sink and he's bouncing right back at you, right in your face, you know. So if I'm going to have kids, which I plan to, I got to make sure that they're having the same dedication that I had. Because you don't play for fun in there, you play for keeps. You're talking your brain cells, you're talking longevity and the rest of your life. And I don't take that as a joking matter. I know people make memes and they joke about stuff like, oh, that's why you got knocked out. I'm like, yo, bro, we like, if you only understood what that felt like to be in that position and know like in the future everything could change and your quality of life can change based on this. And I know some people are going to say, well, no one told you to fight, no one told you to do this. Well, also no one told you to work a boring ass 9 to 5 job and never feel alive. And that's why you watch us right at the end of the day, you know what I mean? You watch us to come alive, you know, so when you're out there betting your money, you work your 40 hour shift to hopefully get by while we're out there trying to be gladiators to perform and put on a show for people who want entertainment, you know, I think there's a respect factor that should be in the equation. So again, comes to my kids, as long as they're putting in the right work, I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to it. But I have family that fought and I tell them like, yeah, dude, if you're not going to do the things that you see me doing, you know what it takes to get here. Don't shortchange yourself.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Because at the end of the day, again, this is not a joking matter. You're playing with your brain cells and you're talking about your quality of life. When you're an old man, God willing, you make it to 50, 60, 70 years old. You don't want to be the guy that's shaking and trembling and, and doing all these things and having to have people take care of you because you didn't do the right things and hopefully you made enough money where if you do get to that point, you can at least pay for it to take care of yourself. Yeah. So that's, that's kind of the way I look at it.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Aljamain Sterling]

So even my fiance here. And now we still talk about like retirement. I ask her, like, if I were to retire hypothetically tomorrow.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Aljamain Sterling]

How would you feel if I were to fight Mosar Evloev and retire after that? Even if I was the next guy to fight for a belt and I retired, how Would you feel about that? Because it's a real conversation, and those are real thoughts that I have. And again, I would rather be able to play with my kids, and of course, I accomplished what I need to accomplish. Right. So I would rather be able to play with my kids and enjoy their life and teach them things. Things that I didn't have the opportunity to learn from my parents or my dad and be a big part of their life while they grow.

[Interviewer]

No, I feel that, dude. Because there's some fighters that stayed a little too long, I think, and you could see the damage now.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Some a lot.

[Interviewer]

Right. Boxers too, a lot.

[Aljamain Sterling]

And it's a sad truth, man, but it's one of those things. And I know people say, no one told you to choose this life, but again, we move towards our calling, and whatever you feel is for you is for you, you know? So that's the way I look at it.

[Interviewer]

It's a lot of sports to NFL.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Anything with contact, something to think about, for sure.

[Aljamain Sterling]

But we don't get paid millions like those guys, so hopefully, you know, these guys can. The pay will keep increasing. I do think the UFC is one of the highest paying promotions out there, and hopefully things just keep getting better. And I know we're not as old as boxing, but, you know, I would love for one day to commentate and be able to see these guys getting paid hundreds of thousands, millions, and to be able to say I was a pioneer, one of the pioneers in that process while these guys were continuously growing the sport.

[Interviewer]

I love that. So you're thinking about doing what D.C. did, transitioning into commentary.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Oh, I would love that. I think if I were to just remove myself from the sport, it would be. At least this is what people tell me. They tell me that it would be like. What would you call it? Can't think of the word.

[Interviewer]

Well, you would know a lot about these.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Yeah. It would be a loss of. I don't say talent, but a loss of insight.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Aljamain Sterling]

To what's actually going on. Because I guess people, when they listen to my podcast, they feel like I do a great job of blending it and making people understand who never trained, what it's like or what the positions are happening and so they can understand what's actually going on.

[Interviewer]

You can simplify it so the common person can get what's going on.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Exactly.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. That's what media.

[Aljamain Sterling]

I don't know if there's a word for that.

[Interviewer]

Well, cheers, brother. That was fun.

[Aljamain Sterling]

Cheers.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Thanks for coming on.

[Aljamain Sterling]

See you guys soon.

[Host]

Hey, music fans. There are some great concerts headed this way. Don't miss out on all the shows in your favorite venues, like Deftones at Madison Square Garden, Garden Eagles at the Sphere, and Foster the People at the Ryman Auditorium. Tickets are going fast, so don't wait. Head to livenation.com to get your tickets. Now that's livenation.com.