After 23 fights in the UFC, Aljamaim Sterling holds an 18-5 record, which ranks him among the best win percentages in UFC history at that stage of a career. Only Jon Jones (22-1) and Donald Cerrone (19-4) had better records after 23 UFC bouts. Sterling's win percentage surpasses legends like Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, José Aldo, Max Holloway, Anderson Silva, and others at the same career point. The analysis argues that Sterling's victories over elite opponents like Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo, combined with his success in two weight classes, establish him as an outstanding fighter deserving of greater recognition. The post also reviews Sterling's split decision victory over Yan, defending the judges' 3-2 scorecard and highlighting Sterling's technical excellence throughout his career.
A statistical deep-dive published on April 26, 2026 makes the case that Aljamain Sterling's career win rate through 23 UFC appearances places him in elite historical company, trailing only Jon Jones and Donald Cerrone at the same stage of a UFC career.
Sterling stands at 18-5 across 23 UFC outings, a winning percentage that the analysis argues surpasses where legends such as Anderson Silva, José Aldo, Max Holloway, Robert Whittaker, and Sean Strickland stood after their own 23 promotional fights. The piece further highlights Sterling's victories over Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo, as well as his success across two weight classes, as evidence that his legacy deserves broader appreciation. The analysis also defends the judges' 3-2 scorecard in his split decision win over Yan, pointing to Sterling's technical excellence as justification for the result.
For context on just how rarefied the company Sterling is placed in: Jon Jones currently holds a 28-1 career record and is widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest. At six-foot-four with an 84-inch reach, Jones averages 4.38 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, numbers that reflect a generational talent. Donald Cerrone, now 43 and sitting at 36-17, was a volume fighter who landed 4.41 significant strikes per minute across a remarkably long UFC tenure.
Henry Cejudo, one of the marquee names Sterling defeated, is a former two-division champion now ranked ninth at bantamweight. The 39-year-old American stands five-foot-four with a 64-inch reach and averages 3.82 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy, adding 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes to his toolkit.
Why it matters
- Sterling's 18-5 mark through 23 UFC fights is among the best winning percentages at that career point in promotional history
- Wins over elite opponents like Cejudo and Yan, across two weight classes, strengthen the statistical argument
- The analysis positions Sterling as an underappreciated figure whose resume merits comparison with all-time greats
