If you think you’re getting under Aljamain Sterling’s skin when he replies to you on social media, that’s definitely not the case.
Arguably the most active UFC champion on social media, Sterling oftentimes engages with his biggest critics as much as he does his most ardent supporters. Sterling is the No. 1 bantamweight in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings makes a point to never shy away from replying to a comment, especially when it’s somebody coming at him with a ridiculous take about a particular fight or moment in his career.
” I don’t care about what others say but I want to protect my freedom and allow them to correct me,” Sterling said to MMA Fighting. So the fact you can tell me that and that I have the liberty and luxury to say it, means that I am willing to go to great lengths to entertain them. This is .”
Many high-profile fighters receive a constant stream of hateful messages via social media. This is because the majority of negative comments on social media are more likely to be positive affirmation than positive commentary.
Even knowing that, Sterling still seems to deal with an inordinate amount of criticism or insults being lobbed his way. Sterling believes this is due to his remarkable reaction to becoming UFC bantamweight champion. He defeated Petr Yan in March by disqualification to win the title. This was the first title to change hands via DQ in UFC History. Then he defeated Yan by split decision in a rematch at UFC 273.
” I think it’s my first fight with Yan,” Sterling stated. “I feel like that one weird day of a performance, because I messed up my rehydration and stopped fueling my body where it felt like I was still cutting weight. I ate almost nothing. Two pancakes and two eggs were all I ate. Although it seems stupid to me, this really did happen. I truly feel like a donkey every time it happens.
“But the facts are the facts, and that’s why I performed the way I did, and I think people just have that image of me in their heads and they can’t get it out. For me to defeat Yan the second-time [people were saying], and then go out and do the same to Yan, people can’t believe that this man just completed a 180 victory over a guy that was supposed to win by any means he chose. People still look at me that way because I won that first fight. They say I have the best title run .”
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After a lopsided win over T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 280, Sterling once again faced comments about his performance after Dillashaw revealed that he went into the fight with an injured shoulder that actually popped out of socket in the opening round.
Despite Dillashaw claiming that he has won fights before while suffering from the same issue, Sterling had to contend with those who claimed that Sterling’s win was somehow compromised by his opponent choosing to be less than 100% health.
Sterling is under no obligation to reply to any person. Sterling could ignore any messages sent to him. He actually enjoys it.
“Maybe I should stop responding to these guys and just go dark. Sterling stated, “What fun would that be?” I enjoy bantering back and forth. As long as I’m not getting emotionally riled up where I’m losing sleep at night and it’s harming my performance and training, it’s not doing anybody any harm.
“So it’s like enjoy it. Why do people get so butthurt that I respond? It’s almost like .”
damned you don’t, damned you do.
If there is one thing Sterling would rather have than people chasing him via social media it’s the admission that he has accomplished much in his career. He certainly doesn’t expect anybody to suddenly turn around to become a fervent supporter, but at least they can appreciate the body of work he’s putting together.
“I didn’t get here by accident,” Sterling said. “I didn’t have no Dana White privileges. “I fought the hardest guys.
” I believe people will eventually have to change regardless of whether they choose to do so. .”
Living well is the ultimate revenge. Sterling plans to continue his reign of UFC bantamweight champion.
“I don’t have a winning situation, but I’m happy that I got the belt,” Sterling stated. “At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you support me or you hate me, that’s never going to change and it’s going to be a very hard day for anybody in that office to take that belt off my arm.”
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/25/23487688/aljamain-sterling-explains-why-hes-always-so-willing-to-respond-to-haters-on-social-media?rand=96749
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