Aljamain Sterling holds an 18-5 record after 23 UFC fights, placing him among the most successful fighters at that milestone. Only Jon Jones (22-1) and Donald Cerrone (19-4) had better records after 23 UFC bouts. Sterling matches Dustin Poirier and Matt Hughes at 18-5. The post argues Sterling deserves recognition as an outstanding fighter, with a better winning percentage than legends like Whittaker, Strickland, Aldo, Holloway, Anderson Silva, and Liddell. The analysis emphasizes Sterling's victories over elite opponents like Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo, suggesting his achievements rival or exceed some past legends. The piece notes Sterling is one or two wins away from legendary status if he can defeat top featherweights like Silva or Lopez and potentially challenge for the title.
A statistical deep-dive making the rounds has highlighted just how elite Aljamain Sterling's UFC career looks when measured against the all-time greats, framing the featherweight contender as one of the most accomplished fighters in promotional history when judged by win-loss record at the 23-fight milestone.
Sterling, now 26-5 overall, went 18-5 across his first 23 UFC appearances. According to the analysis, only Jon Jones, who stood at 22-1, and Donald Cerrone, at 19-4, posted better records at that same checkpoint. Sterling's 18-5 mark ties him with Dustin Poirier and Matt Hughes, placing him ahead of celebrated champions including Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, Jose Aldo, Max Holloway, Anderson Silva, and Chuck Liddell in winning percentage through 23 bouts.
The piece draws particular attention to the quality of Sterling's résumé, pointing to victories over Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo as evidence that his achievements stand alongside, or even above, some of the sport's most revered names. Cejudo, now 16-6 and ranked ninth at bantamweight, is widely regarded as one of the most decorated fighters of his era, which adds weight to that particular scalp.
Sterling is currently 36 years old, competes at featherweight, and is ranked fourth in that division. He trains out of Serra-Longo Fight Team and lands 4.45 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate, while also averaging 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes — a well-rounded profile that the analysis uses to reinforce his case for broader recognition.
Why it matters
- Sterling's winning percentage through 23 UFC bouts surpasses several Hall of Fame-level fighters, reframing how his legacy is discussed
- Ranked fourth at featherweight, he sits within striking distance of the divisional title picture, with Movsar Evloev holding the number-one spot
- A versatile skill set — consistent striking volume, solid takedown output, and 0.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes — makes him a legitimate threat across stylistic matchups
