After 23 UFC fights, Aljamain Sterling holds an 18-5 record, which is statistically better than many UFC legends. Only Jon Jones (22-1) and Donald Cerrone (19-4) had better records after 23 UFC bouts. Sterling's win percentage surpasses fighters like Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, Jose Aldo, Max Holloway, Anderson Silva, and others at the same career point. The post analyzes Sterling's recent victory and compares his accomplishments to historical fighters, arguing his legacy includes championship-level performances in two competitive weight classes. Sterling's notable wins include victories over Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo, which are considered historically significant achievements.
Aljamain Sterling's place among UFC all-time greats is drawing fresh attention after a statistical breakdown of his 23-fight UFC career reveals his 18-5 record compares favorably to some of the most decorated fighters in promotional history.
The analysis finds that after 23 UFC appearances, only Jon Jones and Donald Cerrone posted better records than Sterling's 78.3 win percentage. Sterling's mark surpasses where fighters such as Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, Jose Aldo, Max Holloway, and Anderson Silva stood at the identical career milestone. Among Sterling's most significant victories are wins over Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo, both considered landmark achievements in the bantamweight division.
Jon Jones, now 28-1 overall and 38 years old, remains the benchmark for this kind of historical comparison. The six-foot-four heavyweight and former light heavyweight champion carries a 58 percent striking accuracy and lands 4.38 significant strikes per minute across his career, numbers that reflect the sustained dominance that made his 23-fight record so difficult to match.
Henry Cejudo, the 39-year-old American nicknamed Triple C who currently sits ranked ninth at bantamweight with a 16-6 record, was among the most credentialed opponents Sterling defeated. At five-foot-four with a 64-inch reach, Cejudo averaged 3.82 significant strikes per minute and 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes across his UFC run.
Sean Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, is among the names whose early-career record Sterling's win percentage surpasses at this stage. The 35-year-old Xtreme Couture product sits at 31-7 overall and averages a division-leading 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 42 percent accuracy rate.
Why it matters
- Sterling's 18-5 UFC record places him in historically rare company at the 23-fight mark
- Wins over Cejudo and Yan represent championship-caliber victories that strengthen any legacy argument
- The comparison spans multiple divisions and eras, broadening the scope of Sterling's career achievement
