After 23 fights in the UFC, Aljamain Sterling holds an 18-5 record, giving him one of the best winning percentages in UFC history at this stage. Only Jon Jones (22-1) and Donald Cerrone (19-4) had better records after 23 UFC fights. Sterling shares his 18-5 mark with Dustin Poirier and Matt Hughes. The analysis argues Sterling's accomplishments, including championship-level performances in two competitive weight classes and victories over elite opponents like Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo, place him among the sport's truly outstanding fighters. The post suggests Sterling is one victory away from great status and two from absolute legend status, particularly if he can defeat top featherweights like Movsar Evloev, Diego Lopes, or Ilia Topuria.
After 23 fights inside the UFC octagon, Aljamain Sterling has quietly built one of the most impressive winning percentages in promotional history, a statistical analysis has found.
Sterling's 18-5 UFC record places him in elite company when measured at the same 23-fight milestone. Only Jon Jones, who stood at 22-1 at that stage, and Donald Cerrone, who was 19-4, held better records. Sterling shares his 18-5 mark with Dustin Poirier and Matt Hughes, two fighters widely regarded among the sport's finest.
Jon Jones, now 38, is considered by many to be the benchmark for UFC excellence. The six-foot-four orthodox striker carries an 84-inch reach and lands 4.38 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 58 percent accuracy, numbers that underline why his 22-1 record at 23 fights set such a high bar.
Poirier, 37, fighting out of American Top Team, currently holds a 30-10-0 professional record. The southpaw from the United States lands 5.24 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy and adds 1.15 takedowns per 15 minutes, demonstrating the well-rounded game that helped him match Sterling's 18-5 pace.
Henry Cejudo, ranked ninth at bantamweight and now 39 years old, is among the elite opponents Sterling has already defeated. Cejudo averages 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 3.82 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the more complete technical fighters Sterling has navigated during his run.
Why it matters
- Sterling's 18-5 record across two weight classes reflects championship-level consistency rarely seen in modern UFC careers
- Victories over Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo anchor a resume that already holds genuine historical weight
- The analysis suggests wins over top featherweights such as Movsar Evloev, Diego Lopes, or Ilia Topuria could push Sterling into undisputed legend territory
- At 23 fights in, only Jones has produced a cleaner winning percentage among fighters with a comparable body of work
