The name’s ‘Funk… Funk Master’. At this point, ex-bantamweight king Aljamain Sterling is a jack of world trades and living to his own “funk.” The Uniondale, NY native, born to Jamaican parents, is bringing his roots of Caribbean pulses back in his choice of celebrity rum. Sterling is lining up the launch of his own aged rum, Funk Harbor — coming to shelves on August 1.
‘Funk Master’ Sterling aimed to immerse his Dry Harbour Mountains’ family culture and a tinge of Caribbean touch into the beverage. Last May, Sterling expressed interest in creating his own spirits brand after fellow beverages connoisseur Conor McGregor. ‘Mystic Mac’ and his Proper Twelve Whiskey are a famed entity; Sterling aims to reach similar heights.
With family growing up in the Dry Harbour Mountains, relatives would vibe out with each other in the yard, playing games of domino, loodie, and giving nuff of the usual banter that goes on amongst family. This is the love I want to recreate with similar rum blends from our beloved Jamaican island.Aljamain Sterling via Funk Harbor Brand Release Formal Statement
The dream was his way of giving back to the community when he was the 135-pound champ, a true moniker of being a champion in and outside the ring. Sterling has since made his 145-pound debut, out grappling and dominating Calvin Kattar in April’s milestone pay-per-view event. Now, he ushers the next stage of brand expansion.
What’s up guys? I’m looking for New York venue owners, bar owners, and restaurant owners that are interested in carrying Funk Harbor!
We are ready for launch August 1st! pic.twitter.com/hBkPRq758k
We’ll start shipping online on August 1st and Indiana is on the approval list of states and we can ship to you guys there as well. 👌🏾 https://t.co/71ylvoXHD1
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 8, 2024Aljamain Sterling is now looking for native establishments to host his celebrity brand. If and when he finds success stepping into the liquor business, heads will turn for sure. Ever since Conor McGregor popularized the alcohol brand in MMA, more have followed, such as Jorge Masvidal‘s tequila, Dana White‘s bourbon, and others. As such, Sterling’s rum brand a year in the making has already gone viral.
MMA Twitter reacts to Aljamain Sterling expanding rum brand to active market
With a 44% ABV (alcohol by volume percentage; ALC./VOL.), ‘Funk Harbor’ is a limited edition N01 Jamaican rum. The rum supposedly comes in conjunction with the Driftwood Distillery in the Netherlands. From recipe development to punting, beveling, bottling, and branding, the distillery produces drinks for the clients. The 700 mL rum comes 2-3 years old.
This comes in the form of a monumental pacing for Aljamain Sterling. He is a former champion. The 34-year-old is a 2-time NCAA Division III All-American wrestler with a stout 87–27 record. He has a teaching degree. He’s also a registered Estate Salesperson for Iaquinta Premier Properties. Now, he adds more to his brand value as a trailblazing entrepreneur with his own spirits brand. As a result, here’s how fans and peers have flooded in with responses:
How can I get a bottle ?
— Columbo 🔍 (@Columbo_X) July 8, 2024Next time you’re in Dallas we’re getting funked up on this
— Super Fan🇮🇪 (@McGregorRousey2) July 8, 2024YO LETS GO!
— 𝙳𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚂𝚘𝚕𝚘 ⚡️ (@DanksoloNFT) July 8, 2024I actually like the branding. Whoever you hired to do the label art did a good job. IMO, adding a ship to the box would’ve separated it from the competitors off the shelf but overall really good branding. 🍻
— Eric Beckman (@Eric_A_Beckman) July 8, 2024If it's quality, funky, and works well in tiki cocktails, I'll definitely get some.
— Joel Valenzuela (@TheDesertLynx) July 8, 2024Great design, good name, plus I like rum, so ill defs fuck with it
— ggc_Jason (@ggc_jason) July 8, 2024I’m down I own a steakhouse in Brooklyn shoot me a DM
— JED_131 (@jed_131) July 8, 2024Seems like a must for any of them airing UFC events. Can't wait to check it out 💯
— OddSmokerSteve (@OddSmokerSteve) July 8, 2024😍
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) July 9, 2024I’ll take one for my ‘venue’ in my kitchen
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) July 8, 2024Accordingly, lightweight peer Dan ‘The Hangman’ Hooker pitched in –
Gooooood sh*t, 5 ⭐️ had a nip with the bro in SydneyDan Hooker via X (@danthehangman)
Consequently, close friends Merab Dvalishvili, Matt Frevola, Angie ‘Overkill’ Hill, and others have also lauded the matter. Thereafter, fans also expressed substantial excitement about wanting to sample one for themselves. Subsequently, many of them have commended his entrepreneurial spirit and the ingenuity in branding he has put.
When ‘Notorious’ launched his brand in September 2018, it quickly rose in popularity. It even featured as a brand logo within the UFC octagon; ‘Funkmaster’ could be the same. The final phase of online sales starts August 1st; while the world awaits Funk Harbor, let’s raise a glass to ‘Funk’ and his mighty endeavor.
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