After 23 UFC fights, Aljamain Sterling has an 18-5 record, giving him the third-best win percentage in UFC history at that stage, behind only Jon Jones (22-1) and Donald Cerrone (19-4). Sterling's win rate surpasses legends like Robert Whittaker, Max Holloway, Jose Aldo, Anderson Silva, and others at the same point in their UFC careers. The post argues Sterling deserves recognition as an elite fighter, citing his championship reign at bantamweight and his victories over top competition like Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo. At featherweight, Sterling has secured three wins over strong opponents and a loss only to top contender Movsar Evloev. The analysis suggests Sterling is one victory away from "great" status and two victories from being considered an absolute legend, particularly if he can secure another title shot at 145 pounds.
Aljamain Sterling has quietly built one of the most impressive win-rate records in UFC history, and a recent statistical analysis places him firmly among the sport's all-time greats through the first 23 fights of a UFC career.
The breakdown shows Sterling sitting at 18-5 across his UFC tenure, a win percentage that ranks third-best in promotional history at that stage. Only Jon Jones, who went 22-1 through his first 23 UFC appearances, and Donald Cerrone, who posted a 19-4 mark over the same stretch, rank ahead of him. That puts Sterling ahead of celebrated names such as Robert Whittaker, Max Holloway, Jose Aldo, and Anderson Silva when their records are measured at the identical point in their careers.
Jones, now 38, stands 28-1 overall and remains one of the most decorated fighters the sport has produced, with a six-foot-four frame, an 84-inch reach, and a 58 percent striking accuracy that underscores his all-around dominance. Cerrone, 43, finished his career at 36-17, and his 19-4 start reflected a relentless finishing ability that made him one of the busiest and most dangerous lightweights of his era.
Sterling's case rests not just on numbers but on the caliber of opponents he defeated along the way. His bantamweight championship reign included wins over Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo, the latter a two-division champion who currently sits ranked ninth at 135 pounds at age 39. Since moving to featherweight, Sterling has gone 3-1, with his only defeat coming against top contender Movsar Evloev.
Why it matters
- Sterling's win rate reframes a career that has sometimes been undervalued in legacy discussions
- His featherweight run, already 3-1 against strong opposition, keeps a title shot within reach
- One or two more wins at 145 pounds could meaningfully shift how historians categorize his overall standing
