Aljamain Sterling’s story is one of grit, ambition, and identity. The former bantamweight champion holds the distinction of being the first man to win a title via disqualification from Petr Yan at UFC 259. But ‘The Funkmaster’ proved he deserved the gold by defending his crown 3-times. But where does this resilience in the face of doubters and overwhelming odds come from?

For that, we’ll have to take a look at the road he took to make it to the bright lights of the Octagon. From growing up in the rough neighborhood of Uniondale, New York to being a UFC champion, Sterling’s family and his roots have been the driving force behind his incredible rise. Let’s take a look and explore all we know about his ethnicity, family, and more!

 What is Aljamain Sterling’s ethnicity, nationality? 

Aljamain Antoine Sterling was born on July 31, 1989, in Uniondale, New York in a home filled with chaos, laughter, and the echoes of his Jamaican roots. His parents, Cleveland and Sophia Sterling, immigrated from Jamaica, bringing with them their vibrant culture and traditions. Life in a household with seven full siblings and at least a dozen half-siblings was anything but dull!

But the streets of Uniondale told a different story—one of gang violence and lost opportunities. Sterling watched friends and family get swept into that life, some arrested, others lost forever. The allure of gang culture was strong, but his resolve to escape was stronger.

A coach at Uniondale High recognized his potential despite his small frame and this is where wrestling provided a lifeline for the youngster as he once revealed in an ESPN interview, “My first day, I was just scrapping, And I fell in love with the sport. After that, wrestling was my avenue to go to college.”

His Jamaican upbringing shaped his values and work ethic. Sterling credits his parents for instilling discipline and a love for community. In a past interview with MMA Fighting, ‘The Funkmaster’ had confessed, “Obviously, I rep Jamaica. I’m a first generation born Jamaican-American. My parents are born and raised in Jamaica, my grandparents are born and raised in Jamaica, my other family still lives in Jamaica, and I still go back there.”

This connection to his roots didn’t just mold his character—it became a badge of pride he carried into the Octagon. Sterling’s unorthodox wrestling style, which earned him his nickname, mirrors the rhythm and unpredictability of his cultural heritage. 

Now, Alajamain Sterling is set to take on Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 after their previous bout at UFC 307 fell through due to the former bantamweight champion sustaining an injury in sparring. Sterling’s move to featherweight earlier this year has already led to a win over Calvin Kattar, and recently, he revealed that this might be his shot at a title in another weight division!

Sterling is aiming to “dominate” Movsar Evloev to lay claim to a title shot at UFC 310  

The spotlight doesn’t always shine where it should. At UFC 310, Aljamain Sterling finds himself on the prelims, a stage usually reserved for rising prospects, not former champions. Yet, ‘The Funk Master’ isn’t sulking in the shadows. Instead, at the recent media day for the event, he confessed, “The path (to the title) is dominate Movsar, I dominate Movsar, and I think I take care of a lot of issues outside of things I can’t really control. I can only control my performance.”

It’s the final UFC pay-per-view of the year at T-Mobile Arena, and while some might overlook this bout, Sterling knows better. This fight isn’t just about another win; it’s about redemption and a shot at the featherweight crown. Once the king of the bantamweight division, he lost his title to Sean O’Malley in August 2023.

So, what can fans expect on fight night? A technical battle? A striking war? Sterling stated, “It’s going to be a grappler’s delight, but maybe it ends up in a striking affair – which would be fun for everybody. I think it’s a win-win for both of our careers because of people calling either of us boring and title implications on the line.”

From the gritty streets of Uniondale to the bright lights of the Octagon, his path has been anything but ordinary. Now, as he steps into UFC 310, the stakes couldn’t be higher. This isn’t just another fight—it’s a chance to rewrite his story at featherweight and silence doubters once again. Will Aljamain Sterling’s Jamaican grit and unorthodox style carve a new legacy at 145 pounds? Or will Movsar Evloev’s unblemished record prove too formidable? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!