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Aljamain Sterling
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Streak:2
FUNK MASTER

Aljamain Sterling

United States flag
United States, Cortland, New York
Serra-Longo Fight Team
Age: 37
26
Wins
5
Losses
0
DRAWS
@funkmasterMMA
@funkmastermma
Next fight
Aljamain SterlingAljamain Sterling
vs
Kevin VallejosKevin Vallejos

UFC Fight Night: QatarDoha, Qatar

Full card
  • Pro record 26-5-0
  • UFC record 18-5-0
  • Outside the UFC 8-0-0
  • 2 UFC wins in a row
agentmma.com

Fighter Details

Height:
5'7" (170 cm)
Weight:
145 lbs (66 kg)
Reach:
71" (180 cm)
Stance:
Orthodox
DOB:
31st Jul. 1989
Age:
37
Division:
Featherweight
AI Rank:
#4

UFC statistics

UFC round data: 23 bouts · through 2026-04-25

4.26
Significant Strikes Landed per Min
53%
Significant Striking Accuracy
2.15
Significant Strikes Absorbed per Min
2.5
Average Takedowns per 15 Min
32%
Takedown Accuracy
0.6
Submission Average per 15 Min
ufc logo

UFC Record Breakdown

18-5UFC Record
KO/TKO (9%)
Sub (17%)
Decision (48%)
Losses (22%)

Performance Breakdown

Striking Accuracy53%
Takedown Accuracy32%
Takedown Defense45%

Heuristic ratings

Heuristic scores · 0–100

Fight IQ59/100

23 UFC bouts · 92 division peers

Data through 2026-04-25

Cardio88/100

17 bouts reaching round 3

Data through 2026-04-25

How these scores are calculated

Fight IQ = 40% striking-accuracy percentile + 30% striking-defense percentile + 30% takedown-defense percentile within the division.

Requires 3 UFC bouts, 15 measured minutes, at least 10 division peers, 100 strike attempts, 100 opponent strike attempts and 10 opponent takedown attempts.

Cardio = 100 × the median late/early significant-strike attempt rate ratio, capped at 100. Compare rounds 3+ with rounds 1–2 within each bout. Requires 3 eligible bouts with at least 60 late-round seconds each. 100 means maintained or higher late pace.

Fight IQ summarizes accuracy and defense; cardio summarizes retained pace. Style, opponents and grappling affect both. These scores do not measure intelligence, physical fitness or win probability.

Formula v1

Social Media Growth

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Latest News

More News
UFC Eyes Volkanovski vs. Silva or Vallejos-Sterling Winner, Gaethje vs. Tsarukyan
Oct 27, 2026

UFC Eyes Volkanovski vs. Silva or Vallejos-Sterling Winner, Gaethje vs. Tsarukyan

Rumour

The UFC is still planning for Alexander Volkanovski's next fight to be against either Jean Silva or the winner of Kevin Vallejos vs. Aljamain Sterling, despite Volkanovski calling for a bout with Justin Gaethje. The promotion is also working on bringing Gaethje back to face Arman Tsarukyan. None of the matchups has been made official.

Kevin VallejosJean SilvaJustin Gaethje
Vallejos, Silva, Gaethje+2
Sterling recalls getting knocked out by spinning kick during 2017 sparring with Magomedsharipov
Oct 5, 2026

Sterling recalls getting knocked out by spinning kick during 2017 sparring with Magomedsharipov

Aljamain Sterling is one of the UFC's most respected bantamweights, and his Rogan sparring knockout story is unforgettable. Nicknamed Funk Master, Sterling told Joe Rogan about a 2017 session with Zabit Magomedsharipov, then an unknown featherweight prospect, saying he threw a 360 spinning ninja kick and the leg wrapped around my neck, I closed my eyes. Sterling, fresh off a loss to Raphael Assuncao, admitted he was set up for failure, getting ragdolled by side kicks, hook kicks, and a devastating, explosive tornado kick that left everything blurry in mixed martial arts. Known for relentless wrestling pressure and ferocious honesty, Sterling's story remains one of the sport's most entertaining sparring tales, still resurfacing in 2026. #ufc #mma #aljamainsterling #knockout

Zabit Magomedsharipov
Magomedsharipov
Aljamain Sterling Rejects Idea of Jean Silva Title Shot: 'Hell No'
Oct 3, 2026

Aljamain Sterling Rejects Idea of Jean Silva Title Shot: 'Hell No'

Aljamain Sterling has said "hell no" to the notion that Jean Silva should receive a title shot. The comment is a direct pushback on Silva's claim to a championship opportunity.

Jean Silva
Silva

Frequently asked questions

What is Aljamain Sterling's professional MMA record?

Aljamain Sterling has a professional MMA record of 26-5-0 (wins-losses-draws).

What is Aljamain Sterling's UFC record?

Aljamain Sterling's UFC record is 18-5-0 (wins-losses-draws), and 8-0-0 in professional fights outside the UFC.

Who does Aljamain Sterling fight next?

Aljamain Sterling is next scheduled to fight Kevin Vallejos at UFC Fight Night: Qatar on November 21, 2026.

How old is Aljamain Sterling?

Aljamain Sterling is 37 years old, born July 31, 1989.

How tall is Aljamain Sterling?

Aljamain Sterling stands 170 cm (5'7") tall, with a 180 cm (71") reach.

Where is Aljamain Sterling from?

Aljamain Sterling is from United States and competes in the Featherweight division.

What is Aljamain Sterling's UFC ranking?

Aljamain Sterling is ranked #4 in the UFC Featherweight division.

What is Aljamain Sterling's nickname?

Aljamain Sterling is known as "Funk Master".

When was Aljamain Sterling's last fight?

Aljamain Sterling last fought on April 25, 2026 at UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal, defeating Youssef Zalal by unanimous decision.

What were the scorecards for Aljamain Sterling vs Youssef Zalal?

Aljamain Sterling defeated Youssef Zalal by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal on April 25, 2026. All three judges (Mike Bell, Derek Cleary, Sal D'amato) scored the fight 49-45 in Aljamain Sterling's favor.

What were the scorecards for Aljamain Sterling vs Brian Ortega?

Aljamain Sterling defeated Brian Ortega by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang on August 23, 2025. All three judges (Ben Cartlidge, David Lethaby, Vito Paolillo) scored the fight 50-45 in Aljamain Sterling's favor.

Aljamain Sterling scouting report

Aljamain Sterling (United States) is a 37-year-old featherweight, ranked #4 in the division, who is 26-5 as a pro and 18-5 in the UFC (8-0 outside it). He debuted at UFC 170: Rousey vs McMann on February 22, 2014; two of his 18 UFC wins came by KO/TKO, four by submission, 11 by decision and one by disqualification; he has won his last two UFC bouts; his UFC wins include Petr Yan (now the bantamweight champion), Cory Sandhagen (now ranked #6 at bantamweight) and Youssef Zalal (now ranked #8 at featherweight). He absorbs 2.2 significant strikes per minute (featherweight average: 3.8; 8th percentile of 92 active featherweights with at least 3 UFC bouts and 15 minutes of fight time) and spends 33.2% of fight time in control (average: 18%; 88th percentile). Next fight: UFC Fight Night: Qatar on November 21, 2026, against Kevin Vallejos.

Built from AgentMMA's UFC database (as of October 31, 2026); not AI-written.

Aljamain Sterling vs the featherweight average

Computed by AgentMMA from the round-by-round stats of 23 UFC bouts (5:30:40 of fight time).

StatSterlingDivision averagePercentile
Significant strikes landed per minute4.31,407 in 5:30:404.161
Significant strike accuracy52.6%1,407 of 2,675 landed47.4%79
Significant strikes absorbed per minute2.2710 in 5:30:403.88
Significant strike defense59.2%1,029 of 1,739 avoided54.3%76
Takedowns per 15 minutes2.556 in 5:30:401.679
Takedown accuracy32.2%56 of 174 landed38.4%34
Takedown defense44.9%22 of 49 stopped61%16
Submission attempts per 15 minutes0.614 in 5:30:400.570
Knockdowns per 15 minutes00 in 5:30:400.510
Control time33.2%1:49:38 of 5:30:4018%88
Average fight time14:2323 bouts10:4590
Height170 cm67″175 cm68.8″
Reach180 cm71″180 cm70.9″
  • Division average and percentile: 92 active featherweight fighters with a UFC bout in the last 3 years, at least 3 UFC bouts and 15 minutes of UFC fight time.
  • Percentile: the share of those fighters whose value is lower (ties count half). For every stat, a higher percentile means a higher number.

Related MMA Lab pages

UFC fight record

UFC record: 18-5

Every UFC bout, newest first. Open a bout for the full result, judges' scorecards and round-by-round stats.

  1. WUFC record after this bout: 18-5-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Youssef Zalal
    Youssef Zalal#8
    Pro record now: 18-6-1UFC record entering: 8-3-1
    DECUFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. ZalalApr 25, 2026Result & stats
  2. WUFC record after this bout: 17-5-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Brian Ortega
    Brian Ortega#13
    Pro record now: 16-5-0 (1 NC)UFC record entering: 8-4-0 (1 NC)
    DECUFC Fight Night: Walker vs. ZhangAug 23, 2025Result & stats
  3. LUFC record after this bout: 16-5-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Movsar Evloev
    Movsar Evloev#1
    Pro record now: 20-1-0UFC record entering: 8-0-0
    DECUFC 310: Pantoja vs. AsakuraDec 7, 2024Result & stats
  4. WUFC record after this bout: 16-4-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Calvin Kattar
    Calvin Kattar
    Pro record now: 23-10-0UFC record entering: 7-5-0
    DECUFC 300: Pereira vs. HillApr 13, 2024Result & stats
  5. LUFC record after this bout: 15-4-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Sean O'Malley
    Sean O'Malley#2
    Pro record now: 20-3-0 (1 NC)UFC record entering: 8-1-0 (1 NC)
    KO/TKOR2 0:51UFC 292: Sterling vs. O'MalleyAug 19, 2023Result & stats
  6. WUFC record after this bout: 15-3-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Henry Cejudo
    Henry Cejudo
    Pro record now: 16-6-0UFC record entering: 10-2-0
    DECUFC 288: Sterling vs. CejudoMay 6, 2023Result & stats
  7. WUFC record after this bout: 14-3-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    TJ Dillashaw
    TJ Dillashaw
    Pro record now: 18-5-0UFC record entering: 13-4-0
    KO/TKOR2 3:44UFC 280: Oliveira vs. MakhachevOct 22, 2022Result & stats
  8. WUFC record after this bout: 13-3-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Petr Yan
    Petr YanChampion
    Pro record now: 21-5-0UFC record entering: 8-1-0
    DECUFC 273: Volkanovski vs. The Korean ZombieApr 9, 2022Result & stats
  9. WUFC record after this bout: 12-3-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Petr Yan
    Petr YanChampion
    Pro record now: 21-5-0UFC record entering: 7-0-0
    DQR4 4:29UFC 259: Blachowicz vs. AdesanyaMar 6, 2021Result & stats
  10. WUFC record after this bout: 11-3-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Cory Sandhagen
    Cory Sandhagen#6
    Pro record now: 18-7-0UFC record entering: 5-0-0
    SUBR1 1:28UFC 250: Nunes vs. SpencerJun 6, 2020Result & stats
  11. WUFC record after this bout: 10-3-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Pedro Munhoz
    Pedro Munhoz
    Pro record now: 20-10-0 (2 NC)UFC record entering: 8-3-0 (1 NC)
    DECUFC 238: Cejudo vs. MoraesJun 8, 2019Result & stats
  12. WUFC record after this bout: 9-3-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Jimmie Rivera
    Jimmie Rivera
    Pro record now: 23-5-0UFC record entering: 6-1-0
    DECUFC Fight Night: Ngannou vs. VelasquezFeb 17, 2019Result & stats
  13. WUFC record after this bout: 8-3-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Cody Stamann
    Cody Stamann
    Pro record now: 21-8-1UFC record entering: 3-0-0
    SUBR2 3:42UFC 228: Woodley vs. TillSep 8, 2018Result & stats
  14. WUFC record after this bout: 7-3-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Brett Johns
    Brett Johns
    Pro record now: 17-2-0UFC record entering: 3-0-0
    DECUFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. LeeApr 21, 2018Result & stats
  15. LUFC record after this bout: 6-3-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Marlon Moraes
    Marlon Moraes
    Pro record now: 23-10-1UFC record entering: 1-1-0
    KO/TKOR1 1:07UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. OrtegaDec 9, 2017Result & stats
  16. WUFC record after this bout: 6-2-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Renan Barao
    Renan Barao
    Pro record now: 34-9-0 (1 NC)UFC record entering: 9-3-0
    DECUFC 214: Cormier vs. Jones 2Jul 29, 2017Result & stats
  17. WUFC record after this bout: 5-2-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Augusto Mendes
    Augusto Mendes
    Pro record now: 6-2-0UFC record entering: 1-1-0
    DECUFC on FOX: Johnson vs. ReisApr 15, 2017Result & stats
  18. LUFC record after this bout: 4-2-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Raphael Assuncao
    Raphael Assuncao
    Pro record now: 28-10-0UFC record entering: 7-2-0
    DECUFC on FOX: Shevchenko vs. PenaJan 28, 2017Result & stats
  19. LUFC record after this bout: 4-1-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Bryan Caraway
    Bryan Caraway
    Pro record now: 21-9-0UFC record entering: 5-2-0
    DECUFC Fight Night: Almeida vs GarbrandtMay 29, 2016Result & stats
  20. WUFC record after this bout: 4-0-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Johnny Eduardo
    Johnny Eduardo
    Pro record now: 28-13-0UFC record entering: 2-1-0
    SUBR2 4:18UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. VanZantDec 10, 2015Result & stats
  21. WUFC record after this bout: 3-0-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Takeya Mizugaki
    Takeya Mizugaki
    Pro record now: 21-11-2UFC record entering: 7-3-0
    SUBR3 2:11UFC on FOX: Machida vs RockholdApr 18, 2015Result & stats
  22. WUFC record after this bout: 2-0-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Hugo Viana
    Hugo Viana
    Pro record now: 8-4-0UFC record entering: 3-1-0
    KO/TKOR3 3:50UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs MillerJul 16, 2014Result & stats
  23. WUFC record after this bout: 1-0-0
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling
    vs
    Cody Gibson
    Cody Gibson
    Pro record now: 22-13-0UFC record entering: 0-0-0
    DECUFC 170: Rousey vs McMannFeb 22, 2014Result & stats

Next for Aljamain Sterling

AI predictionAljamain Sterling vs Kevin VallejosAI pick, live odds and the full matchup breakdownFight cardUFC Fight Night: QatarFull card, start time and predictions for every boutDivisionUFC Featherweight rankingsChampion, top 15 and professional MMA records
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