UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has revealed he has $1million in his bank account after beating TJ Dillashaw.
Sterling has made 17 appearances in the UFC since signing in 2014 and made a second successful defence of his belt at UFC 280 last weekend. He dominated Dillashaw from the opening bell and took advantage of his rival's pre-existing injury before the fight was stopped in the second round.
UFC fighter pay has been a well-documented topic for several months with the likes of Jake Paul speaking out against the promotion's system. However Sterling revealed he has bought his mum a house from his earnings and paid tribute to the promotion's president Dana White.
“My bank account, I finally hit a million dollars comfortably with my three houses and other investments, not including those,” Sterling told the MMA Hour following his recent win in Abu Dhabi. “It might not be something to brag about to other sports, but for someone who has been in a sport like this, where the pay scale isn’t the craziest, I am proud to say all the things I have been able to do, buy my mum a house, buy myself a house.
"Where I am at right now, I am in a very good place in my life. Thankfully it is because of Dana [White] and Hunter [Campbell] because if it wasn't for them I wouldn't have the platform to do this. Business is business so I get that and I want to make as much money as I can possibly make and hopefully we honour the agreement before the fight and see what the next big fight is that is on the table."
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Fans responded to Sterling's recent pay rise, with one reacting: "Good for him, but let’s be honest he should’ve hit that number many years ago." One fan agreed: "On top of his three houses too. I’m happy for Aljo, but also just think this should be a no brainer for a UFC champion. When you compare it to other major sports it’s a sad statement."
One final fan instead questioned Sterling's latest confession, writing: "He's got to be smart and keep it behind closed doors and also find a way to create more interest in terms of marketing during his post fight interviews etc to help himself."
Sterling could now defend his belt against rising star Sean O'Malley who defeated Petr Yan on the same card in Abu Dhabi. Another option could be former two-weight champion Henry Cejudo who is eyeing a return to the octagon following a period out of action.
