‘The Funk-Master’ Announces UFC Return as Girlfriend Recovers From Coronavirus

Unlike most other UFC fighters, Aljamain Sterling was not in tandem with UFC’s plans to get back early. This was because his girlfriend was battling coronavirus. However, now that she has fully recovered, “The Funk Master” is getting ready to get back into action.

There were rumors that Sterling will be matched up with fellow contender, Cory Sandhagen. Both of them verbally agreed for the fight to take place in San Diego next month in May.

“Good chance that the fight’s probably going to happen. We both verbally agreed. At this point, it’s just kind of waiting on the UFC and waiting for the date and the contract. Right now, I’m preparing like I have a fight and it looks like Cory Sandhagen is the guy on the list. Now I’m just getting myself ready to whip some a**,” Sterling told MMA Fighting.

Apart from Cory, former champion Frankie Edgar also called out Sterling. However, amidst all this, the unfortunate news of his girlfriend’s illness broke out.

Rebecca Cruz, Sterling’s girlfriend, appeared on his podcast and spoke about her journey through the disease. She described her struggle of tackling and overcoming the virus. Sterling himself had never spoken about her illness, as he felt it was her personal matter. Since it was her story, only she had the right to speak up about it.

“It wasn’t my story to tell so I didn’t want to talk about it until she was willing to talk about it,” Sterling said. “I told her if she does ever want to talk about it, she’s more than welcome to come on my podcast and talk about it. She did and I think she was happy about it.”

Aljamain Sterling opens up on timeline for UFC return

“The Funk Master” did an excellent job of taking care of his girlfriend and not coming in contact with the virus himself. He experienced no symptoms of the disease, such as shortness of breath or a loss of taste and smell. More importantly, he did not undergo the test was because he lives in New York. According to Sterling, one can only get tested in the state if they have an inside track with a doctor.

Nonetheless, Sterling is now back up to training in the gym he has made in his home. His last fight inside the Octagon was almost a year back in June. He is now hoping that he can fight Cory Sandhagen somewhere around June this year.

“Someday in June. That’s what we both agreed to,” Sterling revealed. “One of those weekends in June we’re going to be making that walk in an empty arena and getting ready to throw down. No location as of right now. I’m waiting to get a contract.”