Aljamain Sterling Record: 26-5-0

Rise through the rankings

The climb was not linear. Sterling dropped split decisions to Bryan Caraway in 2016 and Raphael Assunção in 2017, and was knocked out by a flying knee from Marlon Moraes late in 2017. He answered with a defining run: a unanimous decision over former champion Renan Barão, a submission of Cody Stamann, and decisions over unbeaten Brett Johns, Jimmie Rivera and Pedro Munhoz. The statement came in June 2020, when he submitted Cory Sandhagen with a first-round rear-naked choke to earn a title shot.

Bantamweight championship reign

Sterling's title era began controversially at UFC 259 in March 2021, where he was awarded the bantamweight belt after champion Petr Yan was disqualified for an illegal knee in the fourth round – the first championship in UFC history won by disqualification. He silenced doubters in the April 2022 rematch, edging Yan by split decision to unify the standing. He then stopped Henry Cejudo's comeback with a split-decision win at UFC 288 in May 2023, and earlier defended against T.J. Dillashaw via second-round TKO. The reign ended in August 2023 when Sean O'Malley knocked him out in the second round at UFC 292.

Move to featherweight

Sterling moved up to 145 pounds in 2024, opening with a unanimous decision over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300. A unanimous-decision loss to unbeaten Movsar Evloev followed, but he rebounded with a five-round decision over Brian Ortega in 2025 and a 2026 decision win over Youssef Zalal to reestablish himself in the featherweight picture.

Fighting style

Sterling is a grappling-first fighter whose pressure, scrambles and back-takes set up a high-percentage submission game – eight of his wins have come by submission, against three by knockout and 14 by decision. His chain wrestling and relentless top control let him grind out rounds, while his cardio over championship distance is among the division's best. He has improved his volume striking and kicks over time, though his stand-up remains the area opponents target, as the losses to Moraes and O'Malley showed.

Career highlights

• UFC Bantamweight Champion — captured the 135-pound title at UFC 259 and validated it by beating Petr Yan in their rematch, then defended against Henry Cejudo and T.J. Dillashaw.
• Submission of Cory Sandhagen — a first-round rear-naked choke at UFC 250 that announced him as the top contender at bantamweight.
• Two-division contender — moved up to featherweight and beat Calvin Kattar and former title challenger Brian Ortega to stay relevant among the elite at a second weight.