Aljamain Sterling Biography: Wife, Kids, Awards, Salary, Siblings, Net Worth, Age, Parents, Height, Ethnicity, Weight

Aljamain Sterling, born Aljamain Antoine Sterling on July 31, 1989, in Uniondale, New York, is an American mixed martial artist and former UFC Bantamweight Champion.

Sterling gained fame after defeating Petr Yan in 2021 to win the UFC title and successfully defended it multiple times.

He holds a degree in physical education and co-hosts The Weekly Scraps Podcast.

Profile

• Full Name: Aljamain Antoine Sterling
• Stage Name: Aljamain Sterling
• Born: July 31, 1989
• Age: 36 years old
• Birthplace: Uniondale, New York, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Mixed Martial Artist, Podcaster
• Height: 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm)
• Parent: Cleveland Sterling (father), Sophie Sterling (mother)
• Siblings: Troy Sterling
• Spouse: Rebecca Cruz
• Children: Three
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $3–5 million

Early Life And Education

Aljamain Sterling was born on July 31, 1989, in Uniondale, New York, and is 36 years old. He is the son of Jamaican immigrants, Cleveland and Sophie Sterling. He has seven siblings, including Troy Sterling.

He is of Jamaican descent and practices Christianity. Sterling attended Uniondale High School, where he began wrestling. He later continued his wrestling career at Morrisville State College before transferring to SUNY Cortland, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education.

Career

Aljamain Sterling began his professional MMA career in 2011 and quickly gained attention for his wrestling and submission skills. He joined the UFC in 2014 and steadily climbed the bantamweight rankings.

Sterling became the UFC Bantamweight Champion on March 6, 2021, after winning by disqualification against Petr Yan due to an illegal knee strike. He successfully defended his title multiple times, including in a rematch against Yan and against fighters like T.J. Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo.

Known for his ground control, cardio, and slick grappling, Sterling holds black belts in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. Outside the octagon, he co-hosts the Weekly Scraps Podcast and has appeared in UFC media as a commentator and analyst. He is also an advocate for mental health and athlete education.

Awards and Nominations

• UFC Bantamweight Champion (2021–2023)
• Performance of the Night (multiple UFC events)
• 2021 MMAJunkie Submission of the Year (vs. Cory Sandhagen)

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @funkmastermma
• Facebook handle: Aljamain Sterling
• Twitter handle: @funkmasterMMA

Personal Life

American mixed martial artist and former UFC Bantamweight Champion. Aljamain Sterling is married to longtime girlfriend Rebecca Cruz, a fitness coach and influencer. The couple has three children.

He recently welcomed a baby girl named Marcheta Rose, born on or around May 2, 2025. He also has two older children. Regarding his height, Aljamain Sterling stands at 5 feet 7 inches tall (170 cm). He has not publicly revealed past romantic relationships.

Media and Appearances:

• The Weekly Scraps Podcast (host)
• Guest analyst on UFC Fight Night events
• Featured in UFC documentaries and athlete series

Net Worth

Aljamain Sterling has an estimated net worth of $3–5 million, earned through UFC fight purses, sponsorship deals, his podcast, appearances, and investments. As a former UFC champion and public figure in the MMA world, his income continues to grow through both athletic and media ventures.