After 23 UFC fights, Aljamain Sterling's 18-5 record places him among the promotion's best win percentages, trailing only Jon Jones (22-1) and Donald Cerrone (19-4). Sterling shares his 18-5 mark with Dustin Poirier and Matt Hughes. The analysis argues Sterling's accomplishments warrant greater recognition, comparing his resume favorably to legends like Mirko Cro Cop. Sterling's victories over elite opponents like Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo are highlighted as historically significant, with Yan described as a top-10 all-time talent. The post examines Sterling's recent featherweight run, including his competitive loss to Movsar Evloev and dominant performances against other ranked opponents. The author suggests Sterling is one victory away from great status and two from absolute legendary standing.
Aljamain Sterling's UFC career is drawing fresh attention, with a new statistical analysis placing his 18-5 promotional record among the best win percentages in company history.
Across 23 fights inside the octagon, Sterling has built a resume that the analysis argues sits comfortably alongside some of the sport's most celebrated names. His winning percentage trails only Jon Jones, who carries a staggering 28-1 record with a 58 percent striking accuracy and an 84-inch reach that has made him virtually untouchable across two divisions, and Donald Cerrone, who went 19-4. Sterling shares his exact 18-5 mark with Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old American Top Team product who has landed significant strikes at a rate of 5.24 per minute across a long and decorated career at lightweight.
The analysis points specifically to Sterling's victories over Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo as the centerpieces of his legacy argument. Cejudo, the 39-year-old Olympic gold medalist who currently sits ranked ninth at bantamweight with a 16-6 record, represents one of the more accomplished opponents Sterling has defeated. Yan is characterized in the piece as a top-10 all-time talent, making Sterling's wins over him particularly significant from a historical standpoint.
The article also takes stock of Sterling's more recent run at featherweight, acknowledging a competitive defeat to Movsar Evloev alongside dominant showings against other ranked opponents in the division.
Why it matters
- Sterling's win percentage places him in historically rare company at the UFC level
- Victories over Yan and Cejudo strengthen any argument comparing him to fighters traditionally regarded as legends
- His featherweight performances suggest continued relevance, keeping him active in divisional rankings conversations
- The analysis frames Sterling as needing one or two more significant wins to firmly secure his place among the all-time greats
