Aljamain Sterling

Date: 2022-06-02 | Duration: 3h 27m

Category: Combat Sports, Health & Medicine

Episode Overview

Aljamain Sterling dives deep into the complexities of being a top-level MMA fighter, sharing candid insights about his career, injuries, and mental approach to the sport. He reflects on a controversial split decision victory that sparked debate, emphasizing how he felt he clearly won despite differing opinions. Sterling also opens up about the toll fighting takes on the body, particularly chronic neck injuries he’s managed since his UFC debut in 2014, detailing his recovery process and the challenges of rushing back from physical setbacks. His discussion highlights the fine line fighters walk between pushing through pain and protecting their long-term health. The conversation also explores fight strategy and judging criteria, with Sterling breaking down how he scores fights based on control, damage, and momentum rather than just strikes landed. He critiques the subjectivity in MMA judging and shares memorable moments from his own bouts, including dominant grappling sequences and submission finishes. Beyond the cage, Sterling touches on the mental side of competition, discussing anxiety, the importance of mindset, and how he prepares psychologically for fights. Throughout, he offers a thoughtful perspective on the evolution of MMA, the sport’s growing talent pool, and the balance required to sustain a career while planning for life after fighting.

About Aljamain Sterling

Aljamain Sterling is a former UFC Bantamweight Champion known for his exceptional grappling skills and technical striking ability inside the octagon. Beyond fighting, Sterling has built a diverse portfolio of business ventures, including his Funk Harbor rum company and Triumph cigar line, reflecting his ambition to create a lasting legacy outside of professional combat sports. During his career, he has been vocal about fighter welfare issues, particularly regarding weight-cutting practices and the UFC's bonus system, positioning himself as a thoughtful advocate for athlete safety and fair compensation in mixed martial arts.

Key Moments

– MMA Refereeing
– Mixed Martial Arts
– UFC
– MMA Training Injuries
– Fight Strategy
– Fight Judging
– Mental Health in Sports
– Weight Cutting
– Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
– Wrestling
– Fight Commentary
– Fight Psychology
– MMA Career Longevity
– Fight Promotion
– MMA Nutrition
– MMA Recovery
– MMA History
– MMA Media
– MMA Sponsorship
– MMA Fight Analysis
0:00:22 – Discussing controversial split decision in fight
0:02:59 – Chronicling neck injury progression and MRIs
0:04:05 – Physical therapy and recovery challenges
0:07:46 – Severity of neck injury explained
0:10:09 – Analyzing opponent's fight performance
0:11:08 – Visualizing current state of injury
0:15:35 – Sleep difficulties despite training
0:18:05 – Reflecting on narrowly avoiding serious injury
0:20:19 – Describing difficult submission holds
0:22:03 – Finishing fight with submission in first round
0:24:09 – Discussing fight sequences and headbutt injury
0:26:28 – Remembering fighter's career and injuries
0:28:52 – Using defense soap for hygiene and recovery
0:31:25 – Appreciating aged whiskey and its qualities
0:38:39 – Discussing rare expensive whiskey bottles
0:44:09 – Talking about Johnny Depp verdict excitement
0:47:27 – Highlighting Henry Cejudo's MMA accomplishments
0:50:27 – Discussing top contenders in MMA division
0:53:00 – Evaluating referee Herb Dean's fight calls
0:55:26 – Recalling historic boxing match stoppage controversy
0:58:51 – Bernard Hopkins' technical boxing style
1:02:56 – Yoel Romero's weight cutting and fighting longevity
1:07:22 – Discussing elite fighters and championship potential
1:10:07 – Debating scoring criteria in MMA fights
1:14:14 – Subjectivity and complexity of MMA judging
1:22:51 – Mental preparation and use of sports psychology
1:28:20 – Aiming for longevity beyond fighting career
1:31:13 – Big John McCarthy's role as referee
1:35:43 – Evolution of UFC from 1993 to present
1:39:24 – Depth of talent in MMA weight classes
1:42:33 – Corner advice that changes fighter mindset
1:47:46 – Weidman's fighting style and post-fight effects
1:50:44 – Challenges faced against high-level kickboxers
1:54:13 – Evaluating elite fighters like Sanhagen
2:00:21 – Breaking down fights for instructional purposes
2:05:12 – Controversy over fight decision and Dana White's view
2:08:34 – Explaining body triangle submission technique
2:12:04 – Perfectly finishing a fight with submission
2:17:11 – Matt Hughes unconscious in historic fight
2:19:30 – Missing Dan Hardy's fight commentary
2:26:41 – Challenges of self-promotion in MMA
2:35:13 – Recognizing great fighters and their skills
2:41:49 – Discussing severe injuries in training
2:44:53 – Alzheimer's-like disease from repeated head trauma
2:48:58 – Balancing income and focus in fighting career
2:52:41 – Improving sleep habits despite struggles
3:02:05 – Avoiding fighting while injured
3:03:47 – Ben Askren's prime fighting abilities
3:06:20 – Feeling like champion despite setbacks
3:14:57 – Accepting fight results and judging controversies
3:18:06 – Fighting for vacant championship belts
3:20:11 – Jon Jones' performance under pressure
3:22:54 – Engaging in social media trolling

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Joe Rogan Experience. Starting point is 00:00:22 After all that shit you had to take from people for so long. Starting point is 00:00:43 It was kind of a mind fuck a little bit because it was a split decision, Starting point is 00:01:08 You got it. Yeah, that was a weird split decision i mean it was a very good fight but you definitely won the fight i watched it again today actually i haven't Starting point is 00:01:50 It's a great fight. Starting point is 00:02:26 spikes me on my head Starting point is 00:02:33 from like the crown Starting point is 00:02:40 and then each year Starting point is 00:02:59 help all these other things so over the years it got progressively worse. I have MRIs dating back from, I think, 2014 when I had my UFC debut. Starting point is 00:03:28 And thankfully, he pulled out, gave me some time to do some PT at the UFC PI. Starting point is 00:04:05 jumps on my neck in a guillotine cranks my neck on a flow roll to warm up it's Starting point is 00:04:32 because now they're rushing me to get back. Starting point is 00:05:00 And I was like, dude, if I was suspended, if that was a legal shot, I would have been suspended. Starting point is 00:05:48 And when we're at the house, I kind of want to just go to bed. Starting point is 00:06:14 You know Starting point is 00:06:41 and had been following my career for so long to come out and want to hang Starting point is 00:07:14 I didn't know there was a certain way you're supposed to act. Starting point is 00:07:46 was it bulging at this point or had it deteriorated to the point where it's bone on bone like where Starting point is 00:08:26 It's like he has nothing there. Starting point is 00:08:39 So that could have been me. Starting point is 00:08:59 Yeah. Starting point is 00:09:15 So we're like blood brothers. Starting point is 00:09:35 Well, that was crazy. Starting point is 00:10:09 because I think he did a phenomenal job from what I know. Starting point is 00:10:36 t...

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Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #10125?

Aljamain Sterling was the guest on JRE #10125. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #10125?

On Joe Rogan Experience #10125 with Aljamain Sterling, topics include MMA Refereeing, Mixed Martial Arts, MMA Training Injuries, and Fight Strategy.

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