- Aljamain Sterling is under-fire for posting photos of him and former kikcboxer Andrew Tate in a party
- “Funk Master” defended Tate against random fans over the controversies surrounding the internet star
To this day, some MMA fans are still fuming over how Aljamain Sterling copped the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 259 through to Petr Yan’s disqualification due to illegal knee. He officially tried to put an end to all the drama by outpointing Yan at UFC 273. However, just when “Funk Master” thinks the critics are gone, he seemingly gained new ones after he posted a photo of him alongside controversial internet star Andrew Tate ahead of UFC 280.
Massive backlash
While in Abu Dhabi for his title defense bout against T.J. Dillashaw, Sterling was “chopping it up” with Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan. They appeared to be chilling and having some good time socializing in an event. But based on the comments from the post, MMA fans weren’t happy about it, per MMA Mania
“Top G’s never die!” Sterling wrote on Twitter. “Good chopping it up with you fellas.”
Top G’s never die! Good chopping it up with you fellas 💪🏾
•#Dubai #TopG #TateBrothers #UFC280 pic.twitter.com/Rov8hKnthe— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 15, 2022
Making it worse
Clearly, some fans already did not appreciate Sterling hanging around the Tate brothers. But the reigning bantamweight champ made things worse when he expressed support on Andrew’s disputable take on women being “responsible” for making “safe decisions” to avoid getting raped or sexually abused.
See Sterling’s exchanges with fans below:
100% correct. Also said was, with all the mental health issues, and predators out there, why walk home by yourself at odd hours of the night, in sketchy places?
That was the responsibility he mentioned for making safe decisions, which makes sense, although doesn’t justify rape https://t.co/kAuC0QsPzp
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 16, 2022
Aljo… Man, irrespective of your views on the matter, fight week ain't the time to spend time on twitter arguing about sensitive and emotionally charged topics.
Just my unrequested 2 cents 👍— PRANAV KALE (@PD2091) October 16, 2022
Yes exactly. So by this you agree that there are dangerous, perverted and sick ppl out there, correct? So why encourage men, females, and kids to put themselves in harms way because we hope ppl do the right thing? You missed the point.
Sick ppl are sick ppl man. That’s all. https://t.co/RgfTnnP5C3
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 16, 2022
Thank you and that’s more than fair to say. I don’t agree with him on how he says stuff but some of what he says isn’t completely over the top or crazy. But everyone wants something to be mad about. Again, I don’t support rape and somehow “be as safe as you can be” gets twisted https://t.co/u8672QWk9t
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 16, 2022
One of the sensitive issues Andrew is linked with is the videos showing the influencer beating women. As expected, Sterling touched the subject as well.
We can go back n forth with “full” length videos to discredit this, although I agree some things tow the line until you listen in its entirety to hear the full statement. But I really don’t care that much haha.
If you want him as the bad guy, the content is there and vice versa https://t.co/jfRNfEpwuJ
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 16, 2022
In a video he uploaded on his YouTube channel, Sterling let everybody see what went down in the party with Andrew and Tristan Tate.
“All right so we just pulled up to the billionaire yacht. About to hang out with the boys. With the crew. Should be a great time. Mr. Tate is gonna be here. Top G! you already know,” Sterling said in the video that shows Andrew discussing certain things about combat sports.
UFC 280 is set to take place on Oct. 22 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Sterling will face Dillashaw for the UFC bantamweight title in the co-main event.