Cory Sandhagen takes on a former champion in TJ Dillashaw in an epic bantamweight fight this weekend. The two men will headline UFC Vegas 32 in a bid to establish themselves firmly in the title picture in the bantamweight division. Coming into the fight, ‘Sandman’ is on a two-fight win streak with jaw-dropping finishes over the likes of Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar. Dillashaw on the other hand returns after a two-year lay-off following his failed drug test. In a recent interview, Brett Okamoto asked Sandhagen [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/Cory-Sandhagen/] what he made of Dillashaw’s failed drug test and if that is something that bothers him. He said, “It does not bother me. TJ has to live with TJ’s decisions. I have to live with my decisions. But it is like a little bit gross in my opinion to put yourself in an illegal advantage in a one-on-one combat scenario in something that you really love. I mean it’s gross if there is a word for it is just kinda gross.” ‘Sandman’ continued, “Honestly, I don’t need any more motivation to hate someone or wanna beat someone up other than the fact that TJ is trying to take my dream away from me. I have been working a really long time to get to where I am and he is trying to take that away from me…. The only motivation I need is TJ is trying to take something away from me, he’s trying to hurt me. That will make me alone try to knock him out.” Saying the Top Lightweights Are Scared of Him [https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-mma-news-he-just-beat-number-15-dan-hooker-trolls-islam-makhachev-for-saying-the-top-lightweights-are-scared-of-him/] THE WINNER OF TJ DILLASHAW VS CORY SANDHAGEN WILL MOST LIKELY FIGHT FOR THE TITLE NEXT ‘Sandman’ was on a seven-fight win streak and on the cusp of a title shot going into his fight against Aljamain Sterling last year. The fight did not go his way as he was stopped in under two minutes of the very first round. ‘Funkmaster [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/aljamain-sterling/]’ won the fight and fought for the bantamweight strap in his very next fight. Since his loss, Sandhagen has come back hungrier than ever. He has been viciously knocking out everyone in his way thus far. If he is able to do the same against a former champion in TJ Dillashaw [https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/TJ-Dillashaw-62507], his next fight will most definitely be for the title. 

Cory Sandhagen shares his thoughts on TJ Dillashaw failing a drug test and if
that is an added motivation to beat him this weekend.

Kevin Binoy is an MMA author at EssentiallySports. He earned a Bachelor's degree
from Fergusson College and has been covering sports professionally for over two
years. Besides working with the MMA writing team, Kevin is a core member of the
organization's web stories team and is responsible for delivering engaging MMA
web stories. He has also written for a soccer website named Dribl. He has been
at the desk and has covered monumental MMA moments such as Khabib Nurmagomedov's
retirement at UFC 254 and Conor McGregor's maiden MMA TKO defeat at UFC 257.
Kevin was attracted to MMA when he watched Ronda Rousey demolish Cat Zingano in
2015. Following 'Rowdy's departure, he has gravitated towards fighters like Jon
Jones and 'The Eagle' Khabib Nurmagomedov.

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Kevin_binoy.png

Kevin Binoy

span

blockquote

script

strong

‘It’s Just Kinda Gross’- Cory Sandhagen Criticizes TJ Dillashaw for His Failed
Drug Test

Tom Aspinall Ruins Christmas For Jon Jones

Christmas Celebrations Dampened at Alex Pereira’s Home as Fan Judgement Haunts
Champ

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Alex Pereira: Insider Gives Bad News for UFC Light
Heavyweights

After Dana White’s Assurance on Money, Jon Jones’ Ridiculous Earnings Leaves UFC
Fans Divided

“Least Favorite”- Joe Rogan’s Christmas Greetings Backfire After Duncan
Trussell’s JRE Episode

MMA Archives

MMA Archives - EssentiallySports

EssentiallySports

https://www.staging.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/es_circle_black_logo.png

title

Cory Sandhagen shares his thoughts on TJ Dillashaw failing a drug test and if that is an added motivation to beat him this weekend.

description

link

'It's Just Kinda Gross'- Cory Sandhagen Criticizes TJ Dillashaw for His Failed Drug Test

https://www.essentiallysports.com/mma-ufc-news-its-just-kinda-gross-cory-sandhagen-criticizes-tj-dillashaw-for-his-failed-drug-test/

https://www.facebook.com/essentiallysports

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/image01-41.jpg

twitter:card

twitter:creator

twitter:site

twitter:label1

twitter:data1

<h3 style="text-align: center">Aljamain Sterling: Net Worth 2023, Record, Salary, and Endorsements</h3>
<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>What is </b><b>Aljamain Sterling</b><b>’s Net Worth 2023?</b></h2>
The current UFC Bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling, is undoubtedly one of the most noted figures of the promotion. The 'Funk Master' often enthralls crowds with his super funky celebrations after winning bouts. Currently standing as the Bantamweight champion of the promotion, there is no doubt that the UFC pays Sterling quite well. As of 2023, the Jamaican-rooted Sterling boasts a net worth of about $2M.

Like every other UFC fighter, Sterling also receives his salary per fight. Also, it might vary from one fight to another. Reportedly, 'Funk Master' bagged a whopping $230,000 as the base salary for his UFC 275 fight against the Russian, Petr Yan. While Sterling had also revealed that his total income from that bout stood at around $400,000.
<h2 style="text-align: center">Aljamain Sterling’s early life and education</h2>
<p style="text-align: left">A lot of UFC fans might already know that Sterling carries Jamaican roots. He was born on 31 July 1989 in Uniondale, New York. His father's name is Cleveland Sterling, while his mother is named Sophia Sterling. Aljamain spent his childhood along with his seven siblings. Although some of his brothers joined gangs, Sterling took up wrestling in the year 2004 while he was a student at Uniondale High School.</p>
<p style="text-align: left">He continued to wrestle while he joined Morrisville State College later. But it was a meeting with the current UFC Heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, which got Sterling hooked on MMA. After his initial year, Sterling joined the State University of New York at Cortland and went on to become a two-time NCAA Division III All-American with a record of 87–27. He also secured his bachelor's degree in physical education from the same institution.</p>
<p style="text-align: left">His unusual yet effective wrestling style earned him his nickname, 'Funk Master'.</p>

<h2 style="text-align: center">Aljamain Sterling’s Career</h2>
<h3>Early Career</h3>
<p style="text-align: left">Aljamain Sterling transitioned to MMA after he was once invited by 'Bones' to try it out at 'The BombSquad gym' in Ithaca, New York. Sterling probably got so much into it that he decided it chose it as his career option. 'The 33-year-old' started off his amateur MMA career in the year 2009. He also ramped up 6 wins with just one defeat in his entire amateur MMA career.</p>
<p style="text-align: left">'Funk Master' also started his professional MMA career with a bang as he achieved two straight victories in his first two bouts. He was also awarded a Bantamweight title shot at the 'Ring of Combat 36'. Sterling won the bout via a split decision to claim the ROC Bantamweight championship. However, it also proved to be Sterling's final bout for the promotion.</p>
Following that, 'the 33-year-old' joined 'Cage Fury Fighting Championships' where he repeated his previous feat. Sterling's first-round TKO victory over Evan Chmieleski right at his CFFC debut earned him a shot at the vacant Bantamweight championship of the promotion. 'The Jamaican-American' defeated his opponent Sean Santella via a unanimous decision to claim the CFFC Bantamweight championship to his name as well. He also defended his title on three occasions post this win. Every time it was a rear-naked choke by Sterling that finished off his opponents. 'Funk Master' then made his way into the UFC with an undefeated 8-0 professional record.
<h3>UFC</h3>
Sterling made his UFC debut against Cody Gibson. He started with a bang and won the bout via a unanimous decision. 'Funk Master' was always a decent bantamweight. The pivotal matchup of his career was a bout against <a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/Marlon-Moraes/">Marlon Moraes</a>. Aljamain Sterling vs Marlon Moraes ended in a devastating KO loss for Sterling in just 67 seconds.

[caption id="attachment_571795" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-571795" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20210304171647/GettyImages-1247533696.jpg" alt="Aljamain Sterling" width="1920" height="1371" /> LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 06: Aljamain Sterling prepares to fight Cory Sandhagen in their bantamweight bout during the UFC 250 event at UFC APEX on June 06, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)[/caption]

After this loss, Sterling stacked a four-fight win streak and beat <a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/Cory-Sandhagen/">Cory Sandhagen</a> at UFC 250 in a <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-news-where-you-at-dana-aljamain-sterling-calls-for-dana-white-after-putting-cory-sandhagen-to-sleep-ufc-250/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">virtual title eliminator bout</a>. 'Funk Master' got a quick finish as he ended proceedings via first-round submission (RNC) in just 88 seconds. He won his first 'Performance of the Night' award for this fight.
<h3>UFC Bantamweight Championship</h3>
Aljamain Sterling fought <a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/petr-yan/">Petr Yan</a> for the UFC Bantamweight championship on March 6, 2021, at UFC 259. 'Funk Master' won the title as the referee disqualified the champion for not abiding by the <a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="https://www.ufc.com/unified-rules-mixed-martial-arts">rules</a> (illegal knee strike to a downed/grounded opponent). He became the first UFC fighter to claim the belt via a disqualification.

Sterling took on 'No Mercy' once again in his first title defense bout at UFC 273. Despite putting quite some resistance, Yan's efforts fell short to earn him a victory as Sterling was declared the winner via a split decision.

[caption id="attachment_577074" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-577074" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20210310095303/UFC_JB_2021-03-06_0812_20210306110022298-1.jpg" alt="UFC 259: Petr Yan vs Aljamain Sterling" width="1920" height="1303" /> LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 06: (R-L) Aljamain Sterling punches Petr Yan of Russia in their UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 259 event at UFC APEX on March 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)[/caption]

Sterling also took on the famed former UFC Bantamweight kingpin, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/t-j-dillashaw/">T.J. Dillashaw</a>, at UFC 280 for his next title defense. But, Dillashaw dislocated his shoulder in the first round of the bout, which made things comparatively easier for Sterling. He brought Dillashaw to the canvas after a few strong strikes and ended the bout with some brutal ground and pound in the second round itself.

Sterling faced former UFC champ-champ, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/henry-cejudo/">Henry Cejudo</a> at UFC 288 and came out with a win via split decision. 'Funk Master' solidified his position as a bantamweight legend after defeating 'Triple C'.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>Aljamain Sterling</b><b>’s Record</b></h2>
<p style="text-align: left">After boasting an amateur MMA record of 6-1 and staying undefeated for the first 12 professional fights of his career, Sterling currently holds a record of 23-3 in the sport of MMA. Sterling was subjected to all three of his career losses in the UFC. Hence, his current UFC record stands at an impressive 15-3.</p>

<h2 style="text-align: center">Aljamain Sterling’s Championships and Accomplishments</h2>
<b>Ultimate Fighting Championship</b>
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none">
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">UFC Bantamweight Championship</span><span style="font-weight: 400"> (One time, current)</span>
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Two successful title defenses</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Performance of the Night (One time) </span><span style="font-weight: 400">vs. Cory Sandhagen</span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Tied (T.J. Dillashaw) for most wins in UFC Bantamweight division history (13)</span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Tied (Merab Dvalishvili) for the longest win streak in UFC Bantamweight division history (8)</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<b>Cage Fury Fighting Championships</b>
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none">
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">CFFC Bantamweight Championship</span><span style="font-weight: 400"> (One time)</span>
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Three successful title defenses</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<b>Ring of Combat</b>
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none">
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">ROC Bantamweight Championship (One time)</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<b>MMAJunkie.com</b>
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none">
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">2018 Submission of the Year </span><span style="font-weight: 400">vs. Cody Stamann</span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">2020 June Submission of the Month </span><span style="font-weight: 400">vs. Cory Sandhagen</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<b>Cageside Press</b>
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none">
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">2020 "Submission of the Year" </span><span style="font-weight: 400">vs. Cory Sandhagen, tied with Khabib Nurmagomedov and A.J. McKee</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<b>World MMA Awards</b>
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none">
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">2022 Comeback of the Year</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>Aljamain Sterling</b><b>’s Wife and Children</b></h2>
<p style="text-align: left">The UFC Bantamweight kingpin has been in a romantic relationship with an America-based beauty and fitness specialist named Rebecca Cruz. Reports also suggest that the couple has been together for more than a decade now. 'Aljo’s' girlfriend Cruz also operates ‘NYX Professional Makeup’ which is a cosmetics business house.</p>
However, despite having quite some information about how long they have been together. There’s no information available in the public domain about how Sterling met Cruz. The couple also got engaged in January 2021.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF;border: 0;border-radius: 3px;margin: 1px;max-width: 540px;min-width: 326px;padding: 0" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CiiCQZBrVJ_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14">
<div style="padding: 16px">
<div style="flex-direction: row;align-items: center">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 40px;margin-right: 14px;width: 40px"></div>
<div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 100px"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 60px"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 19% 0"></div>
<div style="height: 50px;margin: 0 auto 12px;width: 50px"></div>
<div style="padding-top: 8px">
<div style="color: #3897f0;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: 550;line-height: 18px">View this post on Instagram</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 12.5% 0"></div>
<div style="flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px;flex-grow: 0;margin-right: 14px;margin-left: 2px"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 8px">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 20px;width: 20px"></div>
<div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 2px solid transparent;border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom: 2px solid transparent"></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: auto">
<div style="width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px"></div>
<div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center;margin-bottom: 24px">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 224px"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 144px"></div>
</div>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;line-height: 17px;margin-bottom: 0;margin-top: 8px;overflow: hidden;padding: 8px 0 7px;text-align: center"><a style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;line-height: 17px;text-decoration: none" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CiiCQZBrVJ_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Aljamain Sterling (@funkmastermma)</a></p>

</div></blockquote>
However, despite Sterling tweeting about getting married to Cruz soon, there has been no further news regarding this issue. Also, the couple currently don't have any kids together.
<h2 style="text-align: center">Aljamain Sterling’s Foundation and Charity</h2>
'Funk Master' had a foundation named <a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/funkmaster-fights-mma-fighter-aljamain-sterling#/">Fighters for Cerebral Palsy</a>. It was a non-profit organization that helped children with Cerebral Palsy and other special needs. Aljamain Sterling, after becoming the UFC bantamweight champion, returned to <a href="https://greaterlongisland.com/ufc-champ-sterling-returns-to-alma-mater-uniondale-to-help-train-nassau-wrestlers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">his home state to help</a> the local wrestlers with their future proceedings.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>Aljamain Sterling: Endorsements</b></h2>
Sterling's UFC champion status attracts various companies to tie up their name with him. Hence, as per his official <a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="https://www.aljamainsterling.com/">website</a> and social handles, he has teamed up with companies like <a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="http://www.koreps.com/sponsors/">BodyArmor</a>, <a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUOSfJJrmDt/">Draftkings</a>, <a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU6UzZChfl8/">P3</a>. Also, some of his sponsors <a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="https://www.aljamainsterling.com/?section=content">include</a> Everlast, Trojan, Findlay Toyota, and Speedy Bear.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Full Name</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Aljamain Antoine Sterling</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Net Worth</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">$2M</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Age</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">33 years</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Height</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">5’ 7”</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Weight</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">135 lb (61 kg)</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Salary </span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">$230,000 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Parents</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Cleveland and Sophia Sterling</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Spouse</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Rebecca Cruz (fiance)</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Kids</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">None</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Aljamain Sterling

Aljamain Sterling: Net Worth 2023, Record, Salary, and Endorsements What is Aljamain Sterling’s Net Worth 2023? The current UFC Bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling, is undoubtedly one of the most noted figures of the promotion. The &#8216;Funk Master&#8217; often enthralls crowds with his super funky celebrations after winning bouts. Currently standing as the Bantamweight champion of the promotion, there is no doubt that the UFC pays Sterling quite well. As of 2023, the Jamaican-rooted Sterling boasts a net worth of about $2M. Like every other UFC fighter, Sterling also receives his salary per fight. Also, it might vary from one fight to another. Reportedly, &#8216;Funk Master&#8217; bagged a whopping $230,000 as the base salary for his UFC 275 fight against the Russian, Petr Yan. While Sterling had also revealed that his total income from that bout stood at around $400,000. Aljamain Sterling’s early life and education A lot of UFC fans might already know that Sterling carries Jamaican roots. He was born on 31 July 1989 in Uniondale, New York. His father&#8217;s name is Cleveland Sterling, while his mother is named Sophia Sterling. Aljamain spent his childhood along with his seven siblings. Although some of his brothers joined gangs, Sterling took up wrestling in the year 2004 while he was a student at Uniondale High School. He continued to wrestle while he joined Morrisville State College later. But it was a meeting with the current UFC Heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, which got Sterling hooked on MMA. After his initial year, Sterling joined the State University of New York at Cortland and went on to become a two-time NCAA Division III All-American with a record of 87–27. He also secured his bachelor&#8217;s degree in physical education from the same institution. His unusual yet effective wrestling style earned him his nickname, &#8216;Funk Master&#8217;. Aljamain Sterling’s Career Early Career Aljamain Sterling transitioned to MMA after he was once invited by &#8216;Bones&#8217; to try it out at &#8216;The BombSquad gym&#8217; in Ithaca, New York. Sterling probably got so much into it that he decided it chose it as his career option. &#8216;The 33-year-old&#8217; started off his amateur MMA career in the year 2009. He also ramped up 6 wins with just one defeat in his entire amateur MMA career. &#8216;Funk Master&#8217; also started his professional MMA career with a bang as he achieved two straight victories in his first two bouts. He was also awarded a Bantamweight title shot at the &#8216;Ring of Combat 36&#8217;. Sterling won the bout via a split decision to claim the ROC Bantamweight championship. However, it also proved to be Sterling&#8217;s final bout for the promotion. Following that, &#8216;the 33-year-old&#8217; joined &#8216;Cage Fury Fighting Championships&#8217; where he repeated his previous feat. Sterling&#8217;s first-round TKO victory over Evan Chmieleski right at his CFFC debut earned him a shot at the vacant Bantamweight championship of the promotion. &#8216;The Jamaican-American&#8217; defeated his opponent Sean Santella via a unanimous decision to claim the CFFC Bantamweight championship to his name as well. He also defended his title on three occasions post this win. Every time it was a rear-naked choke by Sterling that finished off his opponents. &#8216;Funk Master&#8217; then made his way into the UFC with an undefeated 8-0 professional record. UFC Sterling made his UFC debut against Cody Gibson. He started with a bang and won the bout via a unanimous decision. &#8216;Funk Master&#8217; was always a decent bantamweight. The pivotal matchup of his career was a bout against Marlon Moraes. Aljamain Sterling vs Marlon Moraes ended in a devastating KO loss for Sterling in just 67 seconds. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA &#8211; JUNE 06: Aljamain Sterling prepares to fight Cory Sandhagen in their bantamweight bout during the UFC 250 event at UFC APEX on June 06, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) After this loss, Sterling stacked a four-fight win streak and beat Cory Sandhagen at UFC 250 in a virtual title eliminator bout. &#8216;Funk Master&#8217; got a quick finish as he ended proceedings via first-round submission (RNC) in just 88 seconds. He won his first &#8216;Performance of the Night&#8217; award for this fight. UFC Bantamweight Championship Aljamain Sterling fought Petr Yan for the UFC Bantamweight championship on March 6, 2021, at UFC 259. &#8216;Funk Master&#8217; won the title as the referee disqualified the champion for not abiding by the rules (illegal knee strike to a downed/grounded opponent). He became the first UFC fighter to claim the belt via a disqualification. Sterling took on &#8216;No Mercy&#8217; once again in his first title defense bout at UFC 273. Despite putting quite some resistance, Yan&#8217;s efforts fell short to earn him a victory as Sterling was declared the winner via a split decision. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA &#8211; MARCH 06: (R-L) Aljamain Sterling punches Petr Yan of Russia in their UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 259 event at UFC APEX on March 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Sterling also took on the famed former UFC Bantamweight kingpin, T.J. Dillashaw, at UFC 280 for his next title defense. But, Dillashaw dislocated his shoulder in the first round of the bout, which made things comparatively easier for Sterling. He brought Dillashaw to the canvas after a few strong strikes and ended the bout with some brutal ground and pound in the second round itself. Sterling faced former UFC champ-champ, Henry Cejudo at UFC 288 and came out with a win via split decision. &#8216;Funk Master&#8217; solidified his position as a bantamweight legend after defeating &#8216;Triple C&#8217;. Aljamain Sterling’s Record After boasting an amateur MMA record of 6-1 and staying undefeated for the first 12 professional fights of his career, Sterling currently holds a record of 23-3 in the sport of MMA. Sterling was subjected to all three of his career losses in the UFC. Hence, his current UFC record stands at an impressive 15-3. Aljamain Sterling’s Championships and Accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship  UFC Bantamweight Championship (One time, current) Two successful title defenses  Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Cory Sandhagen Tied (T.J. Dillashaw) for most wins in UFC Bantamweight division history (13) Tied (Merab Dvalishvili) for the longest win streak in UFC Bantamweight division history (8)  Cage Fury Fighting Championships  CFFC Bantamweight Championship (One time) Three successful title defenses   Ring of Combat  ROC Bantamweight Championship (One time)  MMAJunkie.com  2018 Submission of the Year vs. Cody Stamann 2020 June Submission of the Month vs. Cory Sandhagen  Cageside Press  2020 &#8220;Submission of the Year&#8221; vs. Cory Sandhagen, tied with Khabib Nurmagomedov and A.J. McKee  World MMA Awards  2022 Comeback of the Year  Aljamain Sterling’s Wife and Children The UFC Bantamweight kingpin has been in a romantic relationship with an America-based beauty and fitness specialist named Rebecca Cruz. Reports also suggest that the couple has been together for more than a decade now. &#8216;Aljo’s&#8217; girlfriend Cruz also operates ‘NYX Professional Makeup’ which is a cosmetics business house. However, despite having quite some information about how long they have been together. There’s no information available in the public domain about how Sterling met Cruz. The couple also got engaged in January 2021.       View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Aljamain Sterling (@funkmastermma)  However, despite Sterling tweeting about getting married to Cruz soon, there has been no further news regarding this issue. Also, the couple currently don&#8217;t have any kids together. Aljamain Sterling’s Foundation and Charity &#8216;Funk Master&#8217; had a foundation named Fighters for Cerebral Palsy. It was a non-profit organization that helped children with Cerebral Palsy and other special needs. Aljamain Sterling, after becoming the UFC bantamweight champion, returned to his home state to help the local wrestlers with their future proceedings. Aljamain Sterling: Endorsements Sterling&#8217;s UFC champion status attracts various companies to tie up their name with him. Hence, as per his official website and social handles, he has teamed up with companies like BodyArmor, Draftkings, P3. Also, some of his sponsors include Everlast, Trojan, Findlay Toyota, and Speedy Bear.  Full Name Aljamain Antoine Sterling  Net Worth $2M  Age 33 years  Height 5’ 7”  Weight 135 lb (61 kg)  Salary  $230,000   Parents Cleveland and Sophia Sterling  Spouse Rebecca Cruz (fiance)  Kids None

Aljamain Sterling Archives

Aljamain Sterling Archives - EssentiallySports

<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>Cory Sandhagen Net Worth 2024, Record, Wife, Height &amp; More</b></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Who is Cory Sandhagen?Â </strong></h2>
Cory Sandhagen is an American UFC fighter in the bantamweight division. He is one of the top fighters in the division and is in second place in the UFC Bantamweight rankings. Before UFC, he made a name for himself in other MMA promotions, such as Legacy Fighting Alliance. 'Sandman' is a vibrant MMA fighter and is one of the swiftest fighters inside the octagon. Fans and analysts have often termed his fighting style as effortless, which is also his strong point.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Cory Sandhagen's Early Life</strong><strong>Â </strong></h2>
<p class="dom-traversal_domPTag__RMrin">Cory Sandhagen was born on April 20, 1992, in Aurora, Colorado. There is no information available regarding his parents or siblings on the internet. The fighter went to Smoky Hill High School and was passionate about basketball in his growing years. However, he soon started kickboxing and, after winning the WKA world titles, entered Mixed Martial Arts.</p>


[caption id="attachment_1981824" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-1981824 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago1019215259h.jpg" alt="Cory Sandhagen" width="1920" height="1278" /> Credits: Imago[/caption]

He also has a degree in psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder. Notably, Sandhagen transitioned from taekwondo to boxing because he wasn't allowed to throw punches. Meanwhile, it was at the age of 17 that he was introduced to the world of MMA.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Cory Sandhagen's Wife and Kids</strong></h2>
Cory Sandhagen is happily married to Erica Sandhagen. The two took the plunge in September 2023 as the fighter posted a heartwarming message on his Instagram that read, "<i>I love all the normal stuff about Erica â€“ her personality, her character, her values, etc. Outside that, it feels like Iâ€™ve had her by my side since the beginning of time."Â </i>Not much is known about Erica, and the couple does not have any kids yet.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Cory Sandhagen's Net Worth 2024</strong></h2>
Cory Sandhagen has an estimated net worth of $2 million. In his fight against Marlon Moraes in 2020, Sandhagen earned a whopping $215,000 while one of his notable paychecks came from his fight against Frankie Edgar, where he earned a large sum of $221,000. Meanwhile, it was his battle against Marlon Vera that saw him taking home his biggest amount to date, i.e. $320,000.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Cory Sandhagen's Career Timeline</strong></h2>
<p class="dom-traversal_domPTag__RMrin">'The Sandman' made his UFC debut in the year 2018 against Austin Arnett. Sandhagen started his career with a bang and defeated his opponent via second-round TKO. He then fought Iuri Alcantara, where he won the 'Fight of the Night' bonus and followed it up with three more victories. However, <a class="es-hyperlink-new" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/aljamain-sterling/" target="_self" rel="noopener">Aljamain Sterling</a> beat him via submission at UFC 251.</p>
<p class="dom-traversal_domPTag__RMrin">He bounced back and claimed two back-to-back T/KO victories over <a class="es-hyperlink-new" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/Marlon-Moraes/" target="_self" rel="noopener">Marlon Moraes</a> and <a class="es-hyperlink-new" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/frankie-edgar/" target="_self" rel="noopener">Frankie Edgar</a>. He then went against the former two-time UFC bantamweight champion, <a class="es-hyperlink-new" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/t-j-dillashaw/" target="_self" rel="noopener">T.J. Dillashaw</a>, where he suffered a split decision loss and followed it up with another defeat against Petr Yan. It was a fight for the interim UFC bantamweight title at UFC 267, but Sandhagen ended up losing by decision.</p>


[caption id="attachment_980356" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-980356 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1350281548.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1317" /> ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 30: (L-R) Petr Yan of Russia punches Cory Sandhagen in the UFC interim bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 267 event at Etihad Arena on October 30, 2021 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)[/caption]

The 32-year-old bounced back and is currently on a three-match winning streak with his last three victories, coming against Song Yadong, Marlon Vera, and Rob Font.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Cory Sandhagen's Partnerships and Endorsements</strong></h2>
Cory Sandhagen is associated with companies like Canna River and Sheath. The partnerships and endorsements help Sandman make some extra income to complement his UFC salary.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Cory Sandhagen's Career Stats and Record</strong></h2>
Cory Sandhagen has a Pro MMA record of 17-4-0. He has won seven fights each via knockout and decision while the remaining three victories came via submission. Speaking of his record in the UFC, the fighter has won as many as ten games while losing just three matches.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Cory Sandhagen's Major Achievements and Awards</strong></h2>
<ul>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Iuri Alcantara and Petr Yan</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight: 400">MMAjunkie.com</span>
<ul>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">2021 February Knockout of the Month vs. Frankie Edgar</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">2021 July Fight of the Month vs. TJ Dillashaw</span></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Cory Sandhagen's Charity and Foundation</strong></h2>
Cory Sandhagen was not a part of UFC 296, but he did watch the game as a fan while also indulging in some charity work. The fighter took to his official Instagram handle to give an update to the fans, <em>"Little bit of action fromÂ #UFC296Â - doing some cool charity events, hanging with some cool fans, meeting some cool fighters. Itâ€™s cool cool, my boi.Â @timexÂ @ufcÂ #timex. Love you guys. Catch you at the fights!"</em>

Meanwhile, the fighter also did charity in March 2024. While the details are not known, it is believed that he met the likes of Brendan Allen and Charles Johnson for some charity work in Miami.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Cory Sandhagen's Titles</strong></h2>
<ul>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">Sparta Combat League </span><span style="font-weight: 400">Featherweight Championship (one time; former)</span></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center">Cory Sandhagen's Social Media Accounts</h2>
<table style="width: 48.1317%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 17.7992%"><span style="font-weight: 400">Instagram</span></td>
<td style="width: 182.725%">Â <a href="https://www.instagram.com/corysandhagenmma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.instagram.com/corysandhagenmma/</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;
<table style="width: 54.7643%;height: 672px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 48px"><b>Personal Information:</b></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 48px"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Full Name</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">Cory Sandhagen</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Popular Name</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">Sandman</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 48px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Date Of Birth</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 48px">Aurora, United States</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Birth Place</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">04-20-1992</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Age</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">32</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Height</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">5'11"</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Weight</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">135 lbs</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Parents</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">Not Known</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Siblings</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">Not Known</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Nationality</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">American</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Ethnicity</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">American</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Net Worth</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">$2 million</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Salary</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">$320,000</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Spouse</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">Erica Sandhagen</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 48px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Relationship/Marital Status</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 48px">Married</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Children</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">NA</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 96px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 96px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Profession</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 96px">American professional mixed martial artist</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 24px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Division</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 24px">Bantamweight</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 72px">
<td style="width: 55.2153%;height: 72px"><span style="font-weight: 400">Titles</span></td>
<td style="width: 179.443%;height: 72px"><span style="font-weight: 400">SCL Former Featherweight Championship</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Cory Sandhagen

Cory Sandhagen Net Worth 2024, Record, Wife, Height &amp; More Who is Cory Sandhagen?Â  Cory Sandhagen is an American UFC fighter in the bantamweight division. He is one of the top fighters in the division and is in second place in the UFC Bantamweight rankings. Before UFC, he made a name for himself in other MMA promotions, such as Legacy Fighting Alliance. &#8216;Sandman&#8217; is a vibrant MMA fighter and is one of the swiftest fighters inside the octagon. Fans and analysts have often termed his fighting style as effortless, which is also his strong point. Cory Sandhagen&#8217;s Early LifeÂ  Cory Sandhagen was born on April 20, 1992, in Aurora, Colorado. There is no information available regarding his parents or siblings on the internet. The fighter went to Smoky Hill High School and was passionate about basketball in his growing years. However, he soon started kickboxing and, after winning the WKA world titles, entered Mixed Martial Arts. Credits: Imago He also has a degree in psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder. Notably, Sandhagen transitioned from taekwondo to boxing because he wasn&#8217;t allowed to throw punches. Meanwhile, it was at the age of 17 that he was introduced to the world of MMA. Cory Sandhagen&#8217;s Wife and Kids Cory Sandhagen is happily married to Erica Sandhagen. The two took the plunge in September 2023 as the fighter posted a heartwarming message on his Instagram that read, &#8220;I love all the normal stuff about Erica â€“ her personality, her character, her values, etc. Outside that, it feels like Iâ€™ve had her by my side since the beginning of time.&#8221;Â Not much is known about Erica, and the couple does not have any kids yet. Cory Sandhagen&#8217;s Net Worth 2024 Cory Sandhagen has an estimated net worth of $2 million. In his fight against Marlon Moraes in 2020, Sandhagen earned a whopping $215,000 while one of his notable paychecks came from his fight against Frankie Edgar, where he earned a large sum of $221,000. Meanwhile, it was his battle against Marlon Vera that saw him taking home his biggest amount to date, i.e. $320,000. Cory Sandhagen&#8217;s Career Timeline &#8216;The Sandman&#8217; made his UFC debut in the year 2018 against Austin Arnett. Sandhagen started his career with a bang and defeated his opponent via second-round TKO. He then fought Iuri Alcantara, where he won the &#8216;Fight of the Night&#8217; bonus and followed it up with three more victories. However, Aljamain Sterling beat him via submission at UFC 251. He bounced back and claimed two back-to-back T/KO victories over Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar. He then went against the former two-time UFC bantamweight champion, T.J. Dillashaw, where he suffered a split decision loss and followed it up with another defeat against Petr Yan. It was a fight for the interim UFC bantamweight title at UFC 267, but Sandhagen ended up losing by decision. ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES &#8211; OCTOBER 30: (L-R) Petr Yan of Russia punches Cory Sandhagen in the UFC interim bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 267 event at Etihad Arena on October 30, 2021 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) The 32-year-old bounced back and is currently on a three-match winning streak with his last three victories, coming against Song Yadong, Marlon Vera, and Rob Font. Cory Sandhagen&#8217;s Partnerships and Endorsements Cory Sandhagen is associated with companies like Canna River and Sheath. The partnerships and endorsements help Sandman make some extra income to complement his UFC salary. Cory Sandhagen&#8217;s Career Stats and Record Cory Sandhagen has a Pro MMA record of 17-4-0. He has won seven fights each via knockout and decision while the remaining three victories came via submission. Speaking of his record in the UFC, the fighter has won as many as ten games while losing just three matches. Cory Sandhagen&#8217;s Major Achievements and Awards Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Iuri Alcantara and Petr Yan Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar MMAjunkie.com 2021 February Knockout of the Month vs. Frankie Edgar 2021 July Fight of the Month vs. TJ Dillashaw Cory Sandhagen&#8217;s Charity and Foundation Cory Sandhagen was not a part of UFC 296, but he did watch the game as a fan while also indulging in some charity work. The fighter took to his official Instagram handle to give an update to the fans, &#8220;Little bit of action fromÂ #UFC296Â &#8211; doing some cool charity events, hanging with some cool fans, meeting some cool fighters. Itâ€™s cool cool, my boi.Â @timexÂ @ufcÂ #timex. Love you guys. Catch you at the fights!&#8221; Meanwhile, the fighter also did charity in March 2024. While the details are not known, it is believed that he met the likes of Brendan Allen and Charles Johnson for some charity work in Miami. Cory Sandhagen&#8217;s Titles Sparta Combat League Featherweight Championship (one time; former) Cory Sandhagen&#8217;s Social Media Accounts  Instagram Â https://www.instagram.com/corysandhagenmma/  &nbsp;  Personal Information:  Full Name Cory Sandhagen  Popular Name Sandman  Date Of Birth Aurora, United States  Birth Place 04-20-1992  Age 32  Height 5&#8217;11&#8221;  Weight 135 lbs  Parents Not Known  Siblings Not Known  Nationality American  Ethnicity American  Net Worth $2 million  Salary $320,000  Spouse Erica Sandhagen  Relationship/Marital Status Married  Children NA  Profession American professional mixed martial artist  Division Bantamweight  Titles SCL Former Featherweight Championship

‘It’s Just Kinda Gross’- Cory Sandhagen Criticizes TJ Dillashaw for His Failed Drug Test

The winner of TJ Dillashaw vs Cory Sandhagen will most likely fight for the title next