The recent UFC 305 PPV headliner will undoubtedly remain the go-to topic for a hot moment. Middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis ruffled the scene, logging his first title defense against Israel Adesanya. Featherweight Aljamain Sterling recently weighed in on some of Du Plessis’ remarks that stirred up Izzy. However, it turns out Aljo was wrong in his timeline.
Israel Adesanya and the South African champ are enjoying bits and bobs of their post-fight camaraderie. But it did not start that way. Things got intense in the lead-up when Dricus Du Plessis scuffled on a ‘true African’ narrative with the Nigerian-born Kiwi. While DDP won the bout, he said the beef was not fake. Reacting to it all, Aljamain Sterling made some error in judgment.
Uh, I do hope people know a little bit of the history over at South Africa…Slavery was finally abolished, or ended, …roughly, what, 29-30 years ago…So, I’m 35. To put that into perspective…I’d have been born into slavery. My family could have been born into slavery…
Aljamain Sterling via his Official YT channel (@FunkMasterUFC)
The beef between Dricus Du Plessis and the title challenger was as real as it gets. During the UFC 305 presser, Du Plessis’ comments that Adesanya “would take servants” on his victory lap irked the latter. It caused quite an emotional outpour from Izzy, who correlates all his success so far to his history and origin and family struggles. With slavery still being a contentious topic, Aljo gave his two cents on the matter.
Aljamain Sterling goes over the history of slavery in South Africa (slavery was actually abolished in South African in 1834) pic.twitter.com/43USWN720h
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) August 20, 2024
Netizens were quick to point out the discrepancy in his timeline. The former champ was referring to the ‘Apartheid’ policy of 1948-1994, which was a chronic segregational system in South Africa. The all-white government had dictated racial segregation on those POCs within the area or even outside. Later, though, Aljo backtracked and owned up to his mistake.
Aljamain Sterling gives clarity on what he meant by slavery
Slavery was originally abolished in South Africa in 1834 under British imperial rule. However, that being said, legacy disparity, class segregation, and hitting back on POCs still exist today. Legacy of inequality, class segregation, and backlash against people often latch onto those who are now famous. South African history became a topic of discussion ahead of UFC 305.
Aljamain Sterling clarifies (Source: X/agfight.com)While peers do not blame ‘Stillknocks’ for the banter, the topic is still untasteful to most. Aljamain Sterling might have grown up in Uniondale, New York, but he comes from hardships of a jam-packed Jamaican family of seven full siblings and at least 12 half-siblings.
While giving his thoughts on the matter of the culture of having slaves as to that of servants/maids, Sterling mixed it up with ‘Apartheid.’ Hence, the former bantamweight champion made corrections to the matter, reacting to the backlash by fans on X.
I used the wrong word. It was apartheid I was referring too. I’m just getting back from training and was very confused by your comment. So I double-checked and saw I used the wrong word. In conversations with ppl from SA, the words are used interchangeably so that’s the confusion.
Aljamain Sterling via X (@funkmasterMMA)
I used the wrong word. It was apartheid I was referring too. I’m just getting back from training and was very confused by your comment. So I double checked and saw I used the wrong word. In conversations with ppl from SA, the words are used interchangeably so that’s the confusion pic.twitter.com/LFlXmjqLSE
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) August 20, 2024
Sterling is one of the few people who maintain a healthy line of conversation with fans and peers. Hence, he rectified the matter. Aljo has been a former 135-pound divisional king, has a partner, is a realtor, and made his featherweight debut. But goes to show that some topics are contentious and convoluted enough that all pitch in and err in the vast pool of terminologies of things that shouldn’t have been.
