Weight-cutting stands as one of the most grueling endeavors for athletes. Throughout the week, combatants undergo rigorous processes to meet the required weight limit on weigh-in day. This task often takes a toll on their mental and emotional well-being, manifesting in altered behaviors and attitudes.
Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling found himself in the spotlight for an unexpected reason. He recently got caught in a prank video that highlighted the ramifications of weight-cutting.
The incident unfolded when Sterling was in the midst of his weight-cutting process. He displayed signs of irritability during an interaction with a content creator.
Sterling’s encounter with the prankster was marked by tension and frustration. As captured in the video footage, the exchange escalated quickly. Sterling expressed annoyance at the prankster’s comments regarding his appearance.
The pranker said: “What they having for lunch today?”
Sterling replied: “Who are you talking to?”
The prankster said: “You. I said, baby girl, what they having for lunch today?”
Sterling gets angry and says: “Stop playing with me, man”
Sterling then apologizes and blamed his weight loss for his comparatively short fuse as the video came to a conclusion. He said: “I was cutting weight. I was cutting weight. I’m sorry.”
Aljamain Sterling competed against Sean O’Malley in August 2023 in an effort to retain the UFC bantamweight championship. Regretfully for Sterling, O’Malley defeated him and ended up winning the main event of UFC 292 by second-round knockout.
In the wake of his loss at UFC 292, Sterling made a significant decision—to move up from the bantamweight division to featherweight. Citing the desire to avoid extreme weight cuts, Sterling announced his upcoming bout against Calvin Kattar at UFC 300. This ended up marking his debut in the new weight class.
Sterling’s decision to transition to featherweight sets the stage for an intriguing showdown against Kattar. With Kattar’s reputation as a formidable opponent in the division, Sterling faces a tough test in his quest to make an impact at 145 pounds. The outcome of their encounter at UFC 300 holds significance for Sterling’s career trajectory in his new weight class.