After 23 UFC fights, Aljamain Sterling holds an 18-5 record, giving him the third-best win percentage in UFC history at that mark, behind only Jon Jones (22-1) and Donald Cerrone (19-4). Sterling's win rate surpasses legends like Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, José Aldo, Max Holloway, Anderson Silva, and others at the same career point. The analysis argues Sterling's victories over elite opponents like Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo represent historic achievements. At featherweight, Sterling has defeated three strong opponents since moving up from bantamweight, with his only loss coming to top contender Movsar Evloev. The post suggests Sterling is one or two wins away from legendary status if he can secure a featherweight title shot and victory.
A statistical analysis making the rounds in MMA media places Aljamain Sterling among the most successful fighters in UFC history by win percentage at the 23-fight mark, with his 18-5 record giving him the third-best rate ever recorded at that career point.
Sterling sits behind only Jon Jones, who stood at 22-1 after 23 UFC appearances, and Donald Cerrone, who compiled a 19-4 mark at the same stage. That places Sterling ahead of celebrated veterans such as Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, José Aldo, Max Holloway, and Anderson Silva when each is measured at the identical career milestone. The analysis highlights victories over Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo as defining moments that anchor Sterling's claim to historical relevance. Since moving up to featherweight from bantamweight, Sterling has posted three wins in the division, with his sole loss at 145 pounds coming against top contender Movsar Evloev. The breakdown suggests a featherweight title shot and a victory in that fight would push Sterling firmly into legendary territory.
Jon Jones, now 38 years old and standing six-foot-four with an 84-inch reach, carries a career record of 28-1 and remains the standard against which UFC win percentages are measured. His 58 percent striking accuracy and 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career reflect the sustained dominance that made his early UFC record essentially untouchable.
Donald Cerrone, now 43, compiled his 19-4 mark through relentless activity, averaging 4.41 significant strikes landed per minute and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes — a volume-based approach that made his win percentage at that stage all the more striking given the level of competition he routinely faced.
Why it matters
- Sterling's 18-5 UFC record places him in historically elite company by win percentage at the 23-fight mark
- The featherweight division represents a new chapter; his trajectory there will determine whether the historical case strengthens
- A potential title run at 145 pounds could move Sterling from statistical curiosity to undisputed all-time discussion
