Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling found himself on the receiving end of an impromptu grappling exchange while appearing on the Russian version of The Ultimate Fighter reality series.
Footage circulating on social media shows Sterling, who recently relinquished his UFC title, being approached from behind and placed in what appears to be a rear-naked choke hold by one of the show’s participants. The video captures the moment as bystanders call out in alarm, with voices heard saying
“Release Aljo, release Aljo,”
as Sterling appears to momentarily lose consciousness.
The clip has sparked considerable reaction online, with many MMA fans expressing surprise at the unexpected nature of the interaction. While some viewers questioned the authenticity of the scene, others pointed out that the individual involved reportedly has a reputation for similar surprise grappling attempts on the program.
“That guy is known for sneaking up on people and choking them out, which is ridiculous, but Aljo gets his payback later on in the show,”
commented one social media user familiar with the series.
Sterling, who made his name as one of the UFC’s premier bantamweight competitors, appears to be participating as a guest coach or mentor on the Russian combat sports reality program. The show follows a similar format to the American original, featuring aspiring fighters competing for a professional contract.
Representatives for Sterling have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident, leaving fans to speculate about the context and whether it was a planned segment for the show.
“These Russians are wild,”
remarked one commenter, while another suggested it might have been an April Fools’ prank, noting,
“The squeeze isn’t tough enough.”
