1. Introduction
Aljamain “Funk Master” Sterling has become a household name in mixed martial arts. Former UFC Bantamweight Champion and now a rising contender in the Featherweight division, Sterling blends slick striking, slick wrestling, and top-tier grappling. In this comprehensive spotlight, we’ll explore his UFC record, significant strikes stats, informed fight predictions, and a robust wiki-style overview of his career.
2. Wiki Profile: Who Is Aljamain Sterling?
Early Life & Background
Aljamain Antoine Sterling was born on July 31, 1989 in Uniondale, New York, to Jamaican parents Cleveland and Sophia Sterling. He grew up in a large family with seven full siblings and at least 12 half-siblings. Sterling earned a BS in Physical Education from SUNY Cortland.
MMA Beginnings & CFFC
Sterling began his professional career in April 2011, fighting in regional promotions like Ring of Combat (ROC) and Cage Fury Fighting Championship (CFFC). He quickly earned a reputation for submission skills, notably capturing the CFFC Bantamweight Championship.
UFC Debut & Rise
Sterling made his UFC debut around 2014 and steadily climbed the bantamweight ranks with notable wins over the likes of Takeya Mizugaki (submission, 2015), Hugo Viana (TKO, 2014), and Renan Barão (decision, 2017).
Historic Title Win by Disqualification
At UFC 259, Sterling became the first fighter in UFC history to win a championship via disqualification, after an illegal knee by Petr Yan in the fourth round claimed the Bantamweight title.
Title Defenses & Bantamweight Legacy
He defended his belt successfully, including a split-decision win over Henry Cejudo at UFC 288 (May 6, 2023). He also knocked out T.J. Dillashaw (October 2022) and beat Cejudo (May 2023).
Move to Featherweight
After losing his bantamweight title to Sean O’Malley by second-round TKO at UFC 292 (August 19, 2023), Sterling moved up to Featherweight. Aljamain Sterling UFC record.
Recent Fights & Ranking
At Featherweight, Sterling suffered a decision loss to Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 (Dec 7, 2024) but bounced back with a dominant win over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300 (Apr 13, 2024). As of mid-July 2025, he is ranked #7 in the UFC Featherweight division.
3. UFC Record Overview
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Pro MMA Record: 24 wins, 5 losses, 0 draws.
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Of 24 wins: 3 by KO/TKO, 8 by submission, rest by decision.
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Losses: 2 by KO/TKO, 3 by decision.
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UFC debut around 2014; has fought in 21+ UFC bouts.
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Average fight lasts ~2.7 rounds (79 total rounds across his career).
4. Striking Metrics & Significant Strikes
According to official UFC stats:
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Significant Strikes Landed per Minute (SLpM): 4.41
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Striking Accuracy: 52%
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Significant Strikes Absorbed per Minute (SApM): 2.21
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Strike Defense: 58%
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Takedown Average: 2.51 per 15 minutes (29% accuracy)
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Takedown Defense: 42%.
These figures reflect Sterling’s aggressive volume striking, solid defense, and wrestling presence. His ability to land ~4.4 significant strikes per minute with over 50% accuracy makes him a highly active, efficient striker in the UFC. Aljamain Sterling UFC record.
5. Prediction Analysis: What’s Next for Sterling?
Recent Co-Main Event: Sterling vs. Ortega (UFC Shanghai – Aug 23, 2025)
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Multiple fight previews picked Sterling to win—citing his wrestling, striking volume, and pace control.
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Predictions leaned toward decision wins or TKO due to Ortega’s fitness and weight-cut struggles.
Result:
Sterling delivered a commanding performance, winning via unanimous decision (50-45 across the board). He dominated with jabs, leg kicks, takedowns, and ground control. Ortega appeared sluggish and ineffective due to weight-cut issues. Aljamain Sterling UFC record.
What This Means Going Forward
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The victory reaffirms Sterling’s status as a top Featherweight contender.
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His combination of high-volume striking and wrestling continues to be his winning formula.
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With such a decisive win, title contention seems increasingly likely.
6. Why Sterling Stands Out
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Unique stat profile: 4.41 SLpM with 52% accuracy—striking balance of volume and precision.
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Versatility: Capable of finishes via strikes or submissions; also controls fights by wrestling.
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Historic Moments: First UFC champ to win title by DQ; resilience shown in rebounding from losses.
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Recent resurgence: Featherweight debut wins and compelling performances position him anew for title shots.
7. FAQs
Q1: What is Aljamain Sterling’s UFC record?
A: He holds a pro MMA record of 24–5–0, with wins by KO/TKO, submission, and decision.
Q2: What are Sterling’s striking stats?
A: He averages 4.41 significant strikes landed per minute, with 52% accuracy, while absorbing 2.21 strikes per minute and defending 58% of opponents’ strikes.
Q3: When did he win a UFC title by disqualification?
A: At UFC 259, Sterling won the UFC Bantamweight Championship when Petr Yan delivered an illegal knee in the fourth round, marking the first disqualification title win in UFC history.
Q4: How did Sterling fare in his move to Featherweight?
A: He lost a decision to Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 but rebounded with a unanimous-decision win over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300 and a unanimous-decision win over Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai, establishing himself in the Featherweight division.
Q5: What’s next for Sterling? Title shot?
A: While there is no confirmed title fight yet, his dominant performances—especially at Featherweight—make him a strong candidate for a future championship opportunity.
Conclusion
Aljamain “Funk Master” Sterling’s career blends resilience, strategy, and adaptability. From his rise through regional promotions to becoming a UFC champion (by DQ), to his transition to Featherweight with renewed dominance—Sterling remains a compelling figure in MMA. His statistical output underlines his effectiveness, and recent wins over ranked contenders only strengthen his case for another title run.
