Aljamain Sterling holds an 18-5 record after 23 UFC fights, which places him third-best historically at that mark. Only Jon Jones (22-1) and Donald Cerrone (19-4) had better records after 23 UFC bouts. Sterling's win percentage surpasses legends like Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo, Max Holloway, and Robert Whittaker at the same career stage. The analysis argues Sterling's victories over elite opponents like Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo establish him as an outstanding fighter. The post includes detailed round-by-round analysis of Sterling's rematch with Yan, scored 3-2 for Sterling. It suggests Sterling is one or two wins away from legendary status, potentially fighting Diego Lopes or Lerone Murphy for a title shot while Movsar Evloev faces Alexander Volkanovski.
Aljamain Sterling's UFC career has reached a statistical milestone that places him in rare company, with an 18-5 record through 23 fights inside the organization ranking third-best in UFC history at that career mark.
Only Jon Jones and Donald Cerrone posted better records through their first 23 UFC bouts. Jones, now 38 and holding an all-time record of 28-1, stood at 22-1 at that stage of his career. Cerrone, the 43-year-old veteran who finished with a 36-17 mark, sat at 19-4 after the same number of outings. Sterling's 18-5 record edges ahead of where legends such as Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo, Max Holloway, and Robert Whittaker stood at an identical point in their UFC tenures.
Sterling, whose victories over Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo form the centerpiece of the argument for his elite status, is described in the analysis as needing just one or two more significant wins to cement a legacy alongside the sport's all-time greats. Cejudo, a 39-year-old former champion now ranked ninth at bantamweight, carries a career record of 16-6 and represents the kind of high-profile scalp that strengthens Sterling's resume. With a 47 percent striking accuracy and 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes, Cejudo's blend of wrestling and striking made him among the toughest opponents in the division.
The detailed round-by-round breakdown included in the analysis scores Sterling's rematch with Yan at 3-2 in his favor, a result that reinforces the legitimacy of that title run.
Why it matters
- Sterling's win percentage at 23 UFC fights surpasses multiple Hall of Fame-caliber fighters, reframing how his career is evaluated historically
- Potential matchups with Diego Lopes or Lerone Murphy are floated as the path toward another title shot
- The featherweight picture is also shifting, with Movsar Evloev mentioned as a possible opponent for Alexander Volkanovski, which could affect divisional positioning across the 145 and 135-pound ranks
