UFC 288 Main Event Shocker: Aljamain Sterling Reveals Reason for Not Fighting in New York State

Aljamain Sterling, the current UFC Bantamweight Champion, is set to face off against returning double champ Henry Cejudo in UFC 288 this weekend. However, the fight has brought to light a shocking revelation about Sterling’s health that has prevented him from ever fighting in New York state since MMA was legalized there in 2016.

In a recent interview on The MMA Hour, Sterling revealed that when he made his UFC debut in 2014, he had to undergo a CAT scan which revealed two spots on his brain. These spots were a millimeter in size and looked like trauma, but Sterling wasn’t sure if he needed surgery to remove them. The doctors monitored the spots and allowed him to fight in Nevada, but a couple of years later, they realized that nothing was happening, and he was declared safe to fight. However, New York state has refused to clear him for competition due to his medical history.

This news has once again shone a spotlight on the inconsistency of the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) when it comes to medical clearances for fighters. The NYSAC has been known to cancel fights for minor conditions like chapped lips and fake boobs, leading to a reputation for being inconsistent from a medical perspective.

Sterling’s case is particularly surprising given that he is a decorated athlete with a degree in physical education and a background in wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He earned the nickname “The Funk Master” from his unorthodox wrestling style and is currently ranked #6 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.

This revelation about Sterling’s health has raised questions about the NYSAC’s medical clearance process and whether it is fair and consistent for all fighters. It remains to be seen whether Sterling will ever be cleared to fight in New York state, but for now, he is focused on defending his Bantamweight title against Cejudo in UFC 288.