A detailed analysis argues that Aljamain Sterling deserves recognition as an outstanding fighter, noting that after 23 UFC fights, only Jon Jones and Donald Cerrone had better win percentages than Sterling's 18-5 record. The piece compares Sterling's achievements favorably to legendary fighters, arguing his victories over Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo are historically significant, with Yan ranked among the top-10 most talented fighters ever. The analysis includes a detailed breakdown of Sterling's second fight with Yan, scored 3-2 for Sterling. The author suggests Sterling is one victory away from greatness and two from absolute legend status, particularly if he can defeat top featherweights like Silva or Lopez and eventually challenge for the 145-pound title after already holding the bantamweight championship.
A detailed analytical piece making the case for Aljamain Sterling's place among combat sports' elite has drawn attention, arguing that his 18-5 UFC record — out of 23 total UFC appearances at the time of writing — placed him in rare company at that stage of his career, behind only Jon Jones and Donald Cerrone in win percentage among fighters with a comparable number of bouts.
Sterling, now 36, competes at featherweight and currently sits fourth in the divisional rankings. Known as "Funk Master," the Long Island native trains out of Serra-Longo Fight Team and carries an overall professional UFC record of 26-5. He lands 4.45 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate, and averages 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 0.6 submission attempts in the same span — a well-rounded profile that reflects his grappling-heavy foundation. The analysis highlights his victories over Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo as the centerpieces of his legacy, with the author rating Yan among the ten most technically gifted fighters in the sport's history. Sterling's rematch with Yan is broken down round by round, with the author scoring it three rounds to two in Sterling's favor.
Henry Cejudo, one of the two fighters named as signature wins in the piece, is a 39-year-old American currently ranked ninth at bantamweight. "Triple C" carries a 16-6 record and lands 3.82 significant strikes per minute with 47 percent accuracy, adding 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Sterling's case for historical recognition rests on signature wins the analysis frames as underappreciated by mainstream audiences.
- Now at featherweight and ranked fourth, further wins in the division — including names like Silva or Lopez mentioned in the piece — could strengthen an already substantial resume.
- A run at the 145-pound title, per the analysis, would elevate Sterling's standing from outstanding to legendary in the author's framing.
