Digital Social Hour
UFC Champ Reveals: Mental Warfare in Business & MMA | Aljamain Sterling DSH #991
Wed, 18 Dec 2024
Step into the mind of a UFC champion as we explore the brutal reality of mental warfare in both the octagon and business world! 🥊 Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling opens up about the hidden psychological battles that shape success in combat sports and beyond. Experience raw, unfiltered insights as Sterling shares his journey from natural talent to championship greatness through relentless work ethic. Learn how champions think differently, train smarter, and prepare for both physical and mental warfare at the highest level. Get an insider's look at the business side of fighting, including the harsh economic realities fighters face, prize money comparisons with boxing, and the true cost of pursuing greatness in combat sports. Sterling also reveals his thoughts on retirement planning, legacy building, and his potential future in commentary. Whether you're an aspiring fighter, business professional, or success-minded individual, this conversation delivers powerful lessons about mental preparation, self-awareness, and the price of greatness. Watch as Sterling breaks down the real differences between winning and entertaining, and why understanding your weaknesses might be your greatest strength. Join the Digital Social Hour for this eye-opening discussion about what it really takes to become a champion in both life and sport. 🏆 #selfimprovement #ufcembedded #ufc #motivation #mentorship CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 00:32 - Aljamain's Poker Bust 01:38 - Upcoming Fights 04:19 - Toughest Fight 05:01 - BetterHelp 06:50 - Mind Games in Fighting 08:47 - Fighter's Moral Dilemma 11:35 - Boxing vs MMA Pay Disparities 14:05 - Parenting and Fighting 16:50 - Retirement in Combat Sports 18:40 - Aljamain Sterling’s Commentary Career 19:24 - Outro APPLY TO BE ON THE PODCAST: https://www.digitalsocialhour.com/application BUSINESS INQUIRIES/SPONSORS: [email protected] GUEST: Aljamain Sterling https://www.instagram.com/funkmastermma https://www.youtube.com/@FunkMasterUFC SPONSORS: BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com/DSH LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759 Sean Kelly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanmikekelly/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chapter 1: What natural talent did Aljamain Sterling have?
Like, how much natural talent did you have, I guess?
I feel like I did naturally have a good IQ over most people in terms of combat. But naturally, I feel like I, above the pack, I was kind of solid at coming out of the gate. Yeah. Yeah, so it wasn't too bad.
And then your work ethic is what took you to that champ level.
Chapter 2: What is the importance of work ethic in MMA?
Yeah, everything is work ethic, man. Like, everyone can throw punches, everyone can throw knees, everyone can throw kicks, but it's about how you train, how you prepare yourself, and get ready for the mental and physical warfare.
All right, guys, got Aljermaine Sterling here, got his liquor brand. And we're at the CPT here. You just busted out, right?
Damn, that sounds crazy when you say it like that. I thought I was going to make it to the final table, but I didn't. Did not make it to the final table.
Was it a bad beat or were you outplayed?
I was outlocked by Cardell Jones for the, I think maybe the fourth time on the table. I think I had him beat until he beat me, pause, on the river. Three times in a row, and then the fourth one sent me home. Damn. So just imagine that. I kept slow rolling him and everybody else, and then he just kept catching it on the river every single time. Like, dude, this is absurd luck.
Yeah.
And percentages is just crazy. That shouldn't happen.
Yeah. Are you big on poker? You play outside of this? No. Just this?
Just this. Otherwise, I would have bet heavy on the first, on the river. And then hopefully, not the river, the flop. Right. I would have bet heavy on the flop. And then maybe I would have scared him off. But unfortunately, I slow rolled him. And then he just stuck around long enough to win the hand. I feel that. Damn, man. Shit. Cold-blooded. It happens. Any fights coming up?
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Chapter 3: What poker experience did Aljamain Sterling have?
But I kind of knew going into it, like, I'm going to have to use this. to blanket what I'm trying to do, which is score some points. He's not going to quit. I know I wasn't a knockout fighter. Like I wasn't hitting knockout punches, one punch knockout, things like that.
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And I knew Pedro wasn't going to walk into a shot for me to knock him out like that. So I knew I had to be ready for 15 minutes. And that was probably my most action-packed, fun fight for 15 minutes straight, just nonstop action. I think we actually set the record for being away strikes in 15 minutes. Wow.
So you were gassed by the end of that one.
I was shot. I was shot. I didn't have no chance to just take him down and rest. It was constant action the entire time. And I feel like that fight made me come out the other side a better fighter. Wow.
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Chapter 5: What are the differences between boxing and MMA pay?
Chapter 6: How do mental games play a role in fighting?
Was it a bad beat or were you outplayed?
I was outlocked by Cardell Jones for the, I think maybe the fourth time on the table. I think I had him beat until he beat me, pause, on the river. Three times in a row, and then the fourth one sent me home. Damn. So just imagine that. I kept slow rolling him and everybody else, and then he just kept catching it on the river every single time. Like, dude, this is absurd luck.
Yeah.
And percentages is just crazy. That shouldn't happen.
Yeah. Are you big on poker? You play outside of this? No. Just this?
Just this. Otherwise, I would have bet heavy on the first, on the river. And then hopefully, not the river, the flop. Right. I would have bet heavy on the flop. And then maybe I would have scared him off. But unfortunately, I slow rolled him. And then he just stuck around long enough to win the hand. I feel that. Damn, man. Shit. Cold-blooded. It happens. Any fights coming up?
October 5th, Salt Lake City, UFC 307 is going down, taking on Mozart. And I can't wait to take that off.
Let's go. Also, your teammate Marab's got a fight coming up. He's fighting for the belt, right? Yeah. What's it like being able to be in his corner for that fight?
Just like every other fight. I try to remind them, this is just like everything else. Just be you. Take your time. And if I can give you any type of advice, do not rush in and then lay an egg in the middle of rushing in and then realize that you're about to get clapped. No diddy. So just don't make those mistakes. And I think it'd be a good night for us. Especially for him.
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