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CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 08: Aljamain Sterling reacts after the conclusion of his bantamweight bout against Pedro Munhoz of Brazil during the UFC 238 event at the United Center on June 8, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20210304171549/GettyImages-1148646841.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 08: Aljamain Sterling reacts after the conclusion of his bantamweight bout against Pedro Munhoz of Brazil during the UFC 238 event at the United Center on June 8, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Aljamain Sterling’s fans are in for a treat, as the former UFC champ is going to fight soon! Sterling faces Calvin Kattar on the UFC 300’s preliminary card. This is going to be his first featherweight fight in a while, and everyone wants to know how he will fare in this category.
A number of fans might have also noticed that despite living in America, ‘Aljo’ doesn’t carry an American flag during walkouts and after winning. It might be due to his personal beliefs unknown to most of the UFC community. So let’s dive right in to know a bit more about the same.
Aljamain Sterling’s religion and ethnicity
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Sterling was born to Jamaican parents Cleveland Sterling and Sophia Sterling. He has also revealed multiple times that he was born and brought up in Uniondale, New York. Born into a family following Christianity, Sterling also didn’t resist the family tradition and accepted it as his own religion.
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via Imago
via Imago
A number of fans might be well aware of these facts while others may not be so. Sterling’s name, ‘Aljamain’ has caused some confusion among a number of fans as they identified Sterling as a Muslim. But, such rumors have no truth to them. ‘Aljo’ continues to be a Christian to date.
Why doesn’t Aljamain Sterling carry an American flag?
Due to his birth in the US, most fans might think that Sterling would recognize himself as an American. Some might also expect him to display the stars and the stripes during his walkouts and victories, similar to other American fighters like Michael Chandler and Colby Covington.
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But ‘Aljo’ carrying a Jamaican flag during his entry and after victories might have pushed several fans towards speculations. While the reality is that Sterling feels more connected to his Jamaican roots since he was born to both Jamaican parents. Although he spent most of his childhood in the US, Sterling might feel a little less attached to his identity as an American.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1390649343.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Getty
via Getty
Even if he feels so, it’s quite apparent that ‘Aljo’ prefers displaying himself as an individual from the country where his roots lie. However, there are instances where he has walked out with a dual-sided flag showcasing the Jamaican colors on one side and the American stars and stripes on the other.
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In whose favor do you think his UFC 300 bout will eventually go? Will we get to see a new UFC Bantamweight champion?