Analysis argues Aljamain Sterling deserves recognition as elite UFC fighter

A detailed analysis argued that Aljamain Sterling's 18-5 record after 23 UFC fights places him among the promotion's elite performers, with only Jon Jones (22-1) and Donald Cerrone (19-4) having better win percentages at that point. The analysis compared Sterling favorably to past champions including Matt Hughes, Anderson Silva, and Mirko Cro Cop, suggesting Sterling's accomplishments may exceed some legends. The piece re-evaluated Sterling's split decision victory over Petr Yan, arguing that Sterling won rounds one, two, and five on points scored despite Yan's strong performance. It highlighted Sterling's recent victories in featherweight, including competitive performances against Movsar Evloev, and suggested Sterling is one or two wins away from legendary status. The analysis praised Sterling's technical skills, particularly his ability to mix wrestling with striking against high-level opponents like Evloev, Henry Cejudo, and Yan.