After 23 UFC fights, Aljamain Sterling has compiled an 18-5 record, giving him the third-best winning percentage in UFC history at that milestone behind only Jon Jones (22-1) and Donald Cerrone (19-4). Sterling's win rate surpasses legends including Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, Jose Aldo, Max Holloway, Anderson Silva, and others at the same career point. The post argues Sterling deserves recognition as an outstanding fighter, comparing his accomplishments favorably to past legends like Mirko Cro Cop and noting his historic victories over elite opponents like Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo. At featherweight, Sterling has defeated three strong opponents despite being past his peak, with his only loss coming to top contender Movsar Evloev. The analysis suggests Sterling is one victory away from greatness and two from legendary status.
Aljamain Sterling has quietly built one of the most efficient win-rate resumes in UFC history, and a fresh statistical breakdown puts that achievement in sharp relief.
Through his first 23 UFC appearances, Sterling compiled an 18-5 record. According to the analysis, that winning percentage is the third-best in promotional history at that exact career milestone, trailing only Jon Jones, who stood at 22-1 through 23 fights, and Donald Cerrone, who went 19-4. The list of legends Sterling edges out at the same benchmark includes Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, Jose Aldo, Max Holloway, and Anderson Silva.
Sterling, now 36 years old and fighting out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, currently sits fourth in the UFC featherweight rankings with an overall record of 26-5. The Long Island native is 170 cm tall with a 71-inch reach and has shown well-rounded skills across his career, averaging 4.45 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy alongside 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes — numbers that underline the grappling-heavy, versatile game that defined his bantamweight title run.
Among the victories the analysis highlights are wins over former two-division champion Henry Cejudo and former bantamweight champion Petr Yan. Cejudo, now ranked ninth at bantamweight at age 39, remains a marquee name in the sport. At featherweight Sterling has gone 3-1, his only defeat coming against the undefeated Movsar Evloev, the division's top contender. Evloev, 32, carries a perfect 20-0 record and an imposing 72-inch reach, averaging nearly five takedowns per 15 minutes for American Top Team.
Why it matters
- Sterling's third-place all-time ranking at the 23-fight mark places him in historically elite company regardless of division
- His current position at fourth in featherweight keeps him relevant in a loaded title picture
- The analysis frames him as needing one significant win to cement greatness and two to reach legendary status by its own measure
