Aljamain Sterling faced an unexpected controversy during the UFC Vegas 116 media day. The former bantamweight champion was reportedly asked to remove bottles of his liquor brand from the table during the press conference. This moment quickly spread across social media, leaving many fans surprised because fighters have often been allowed to promote personal brands at such events without any issue.
Incident Sparks Debate on Fighter Promotion Policies
The incident became even more controversial when fans compared it with previous examples. Fighters like Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor have regularly showcased their products during UFC media events. Because of this history, the decision to stop Sterling from promoting his brand raised several questions. Fans began discussing whether there was inconsistency in how fighters are treated by the promotion.
Details of the Media Day Incident
During the media interaction ahead of UFC Vegas 116, Aljamain Sterling had placed two bottles of his Jamaican rum brand, Funk Harbor, on the table. However, in a video that quickly went viral, a UFC staff member approached him and asked for the bottles to be removed. Sterling calmly complied and handed them over without creating a scene. This moment triggered a strong reaction from fans online, with many expressing frustration and suggesting that some fighters receive special treatment compared to others.
Several fans pointed out that high-profile stars in the past were freely allowed to promote their businesses. A fan wrote, 'Only McGregor gets such an honor.' Others felt that Sterling, who has been part of the promotion for many years, deserved the same opportunity. Another wrote, 'Nice, this is how you treat a guy that’s been fighting in the promotion for over a decade.' One even argued that fighters should have more freedom to build their own brands, especially considering the risks they take inside the octagon. A fan commented, 'The promotion that doesn't promote its fighters, or let the fighters promote themselves. You heard it here first, folks.'
Sterling's Response
Sterling later shared his thoughts on the situation through social media. He explained that he found the decision confusing because he had previously promoted his brand during other fight weeks without any problems. He recalled doing similar promotions during events in Shanghai and in fights against opponents like Calvin Kattar, Movsar Evloev, and Sean O’Malley. Despite his confusion, Sterling chose not to argue with the staff member at the event. He mentioned that he respected the individual involved and did not want to create unnecessary tension during the media session. His calm reaction earned him respect from some fans, even as the broader debate about fighter rights and promotion policies continued online.
