When the Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational XIII takes place on September 4th, two of the most passionate players at the felt won’t just be fighting for the title and CPT Championship belt. They’ll be battling it out as they have done in the Octagon ring, for bragging rights.
Both UFC fighters Aljamain Sterling and Paulo Costa have professional sports careers that are the envy of millions. But can they claim victory on the CPT?
Who will come out on top at the poker felt? We spoke to the pair of UFC greats to find out.
Training for the Title
Training for UFC is brutal and relentless, and for many years, both Aljamain and Paulo have worked their bodies to exhaustion over many years to put themselves in peak physical condition. Can they convert this mindset and training into success at the poker felt? Aljamain has certainly been putting in the reps.
“Training is difficult,” said the former UFC Bantamweight Champion. “But I still try to find time to keep my skills on the felt strong.”
Paulo too has managed to keep up his training in the world of poker as well as sport.
“I play poker online almost every day, even during fight camps!” he says.
Fighting in the octagon requires a lot of strength but so much discipline too. It’s that mindset that could allow each man to make tough calls or folds when the pressure is on during the Celebrity Poker Tour.
I believe discipline is a huge skill that you need for fighting, which translates well into poker, says Aljamain. It’s also how I become a CPT champion. I think those instincts will lead me to another CPT title.
The Juice Worth the Squeeze
One thing in Aljamain’s corner is his devout Christian faith. It allows him to balance aspiration with acceptance and clearly gives him calm at the poker table.
Sometimes the game is about taking a calculated risk, and you have to leave it to faith. If it’s your time, that faith will carry you through. And if not, then maybe that’s God saying it’s not your time.
Paulo too has a secret weapon at the poker felt, although it is very different. His legendary Secret Juice drink promises to restore energy and balance, and Paulo swears by it. He’ll be bringing some to Las Vegas and the CPT felt.
Definitely! Secret Juice keeps me energized, focused, and positive!
Aljamain is no stranger to bringing the rhythm to any game. Known as the ‘Funkmaster’ or just plain Funk, his own energy is always sky high.
I’m looking to bring that New York, Jamaican, funky energy to the tables, he says. Good vibes… and making it hard to get a read on me!
A History of Poker
Both players have taken the time to know the game before playing it in a fortnight’s time, and Aljamain, already a CPT Championship belt winner, is looking for title number two. Paulo’s own love of poker goes way back.
“I play online daily and started casually with friends years ago,” he says. Paulo’s desire to elevate his sport knows no bounds, too.
Recently, he declared, ‘By the power of the Almighty, I shall save this weight class from monotony and boredom’, and he’s going to bring excitement to the CPT action too. The Brazilian supported Argentina in the World Cup final; such is his South American passion.
Now it’s Brazil’s turn, and I’d love a Spanish player in the final!, he declares.
Aljamain has already shown he can tie up a title on the Celebrity Poker Tour, taking home $10,000 after conquering it all last December. He’s desperate to do so again in Las Vegas next month.
Winning another CPT belt would reconfirm that I’m a legit player who can take his poker skills to the biggest games around the world. It’s to let ‘em know!
Who’ll Go Deepest in the Tournament?
With such a brutal sporting history behind both men, there’s no question that each combatant has the stamina to go far. But who might win the latest CPT Championship belt?
If I and any of the UFC fighters come head-to-head, they better bring their A Game, because they’ll be in for a fight on the turn and the river! says Aljamain.
I ask Paulo whether he has a skill that he believes will give him the edge over Aljamain and the rest of the field.
Discipline, he says. Knowing when to be patient and when to attack.
Just a fortnight sits between Aljamain Sterling and Paulo Costa meeting at the poker felt. When they get there, the countdown will be over, and only one man will be able to get the win. Unlike in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, on the Celebrity Poker Tour, the gloves will be off.
