JRE 10007 · August 11, 2026
MMA Show — Aljamain Sterling
Who is MMA Show — Aljamain Sterling?
Aljamain Sterling is a professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's Featherweight division. Known as Funk Master, he is a former Bantamweight champion, the host of the Weekly Scraps podcast, and the founder of Funk Harbor Rum.
Topics and Timestamps
- 01Aljamain Sterling discusses his transition to the Featherweight division
- 02Insights into the current landscape of the UFC and MMA strategy
- 03The inspiration and business side of launching Funk Harbor Rum
- 04Breaking down the dynamics of the Weekly Scraps podcast
- 05Analysis of grappling techniques and the evolution of the sport
- 06Balancing the life of a professional athlete with entrepreneurial ventures
- ▶Transitioning to the Featherweight division0:12:00
- ▶The technical evolution of modern grappling0:35:00
- ▶Building the Funk Harbor Rum brand1:05:00
- ▶The process behind the Weekly Scraps podcast1:30:00
- ▶Mental preparation for high stakes fights2:10:00
The Show
Joe brings on Aljamain Sterling for a deep dive into the current state of the fight game. Sterling is in a wild spot right now, moving over to the Featherweight division and trying to shake things up. They spend a good chunk of time geeking out over the technical side of MMA, specifically how the grappling game has evolved and where Sterling fits into the current puzzle of the UFC. It is classic JRE MMA talk where they dissect the actual mechanics of fighting rather than just the hype.
Beyond the cage, Aljamain is clearly leaning into his brand. He talks about the grind of starting Funk Harbor Rum and the logistics of getting a spirits brand off the ground while maintaining a world class training camp. It is interesting to see fighters moving toward long term business ownership instead of just relying on fight purses. He also touches on his podcast, Weekly Scraps, and how having a platform to analyze the sport helps him stay sharp mentally.
Joe and Sterling get into the psychology of fighting and the pressure that comes with being a high profile athlete in a sport where one mistake can change everything. They chat about the discipline required to stay at the top and the mental fortitude needed to handle the critics. The whole conversation feels like two students of the game just breaking down the sport they love while Aljamain pitches his rum. It is a solid mix of fight analysis and business hustle.
Best Quotes
“Moving divisions is as much a mental game as it is a physical one.”
— MMA Show — Aljamain Sterling
From the JRE 10007 conversation with MMA Show — Aljamain Sterling.
“You have to build something for yourself outside the cage because the sport can be cruel.”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 10007 conversation with MMA Show — Aljamain Sterling.
“Grappling is a language that is constantly evolving.”
— MMA Show — Aljamain Sterling
From the JRE 10007 conversation with MMA Show — Aljamain Sterling.
“Funk Harbor is about bringing that same energy from the gym to the bottle.”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 10007 conversation with MMA Show — Aljamain Sterling.
“The analysis we do on Weekly Scraps keeps me locked into the details.”
— MMA Show — Aljamain Sterling
From the JRE 10007 conversation with MMA Show — Aljamain Sterling.
Mentioned in This Episode
Books, supplements, gear, and other cool things that came up in conversation — not the podcast ads.
Funk Harbor Rum
VisitA spirits brand founded by Aljamain Sterling.
Weekly Scraps
VisitAn MMA analysis podcast hosted by Aljamain Sterling.
Ketone-IQ
AmazonA cognitive energy supplement.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.