Aljamain Sterling • Stats, Record and Fight History

BIO

FIGHTS

STATS

UFC HISTORY & CAREER

• UFC Fight Night(4/253/26) Sterling won a five round unanimous decision over Youssef Zalal
• UFC Fight Night(8/23/25) Sterling won a five round unanimous decision over Brian Ortega
• UFC 310(12/7/24) Sterling lost a three round unanimous decision to Movsar Evloev
• UFC 300(4/13/24) Sterling won a three round unanimous decision over Calvin Kattar
• UFC 292(8/19/23) Sterling was stopped by Sean O'Malley via strikes at :51 of the second round, losing the UFC bantamweight title
• UFC 288(5/6/23) Sterling won a five round split decision over Henry Cejudo to retain his UFC bantamweight title
• UFC 280(10/22/22) Sterling stopped TJ Dillashaw via strikes at 3:44 of the second round to retain his UFC bantamweight title
• UFC 273(4/9/22) Sterling won a five-round split decision over Petr Yan to retain his UFC bantamweight title
• UFC 259(3/6/21) Sterling defeated Petr Yan via disqualification (illegal knee) at 4:29 of the fourth round to win the UFC bantamweight title
• UFC 250(6/6/20) Sterling submitted Cory Sandhagen via rear naked choke at 1:28 of the first round
• UFC 238(6/8/19) Sterling won a three round unanimous decision over Pedro Munhoz
• UFC on ESPN(2/17/19) Sterling won a three round unanimous decision over Jimmie Rivera
• UFC 228(9/8/18) Sterling submitted Cody Stamann via modified kneebar at 3:42 of the second round
• UFC Fight Night(4/21/18) Sterling won a three round unanimous decision over Brett Johns
• UFC Fight Night(12/9/17) Sterling was knocked out by Marlon Moraes at 1:07 of the first round
• UFC 214(7/29/17) Sterling won a three round unanimous decision over Renan Barao
• UFC on FOX(4/15/17) Sterling won a three round unanimous decision over Augusto Mendes
• UFC on FOX(1/28/17) Sterling lost a three round split decision to Raphael Assuncao
• UFC Fight Night(5/29/16) Sterling lost a three round split decision to Bryan Caraway
• UFC Fight Night(12/10/15) Sterling submitted Johnny Eduardo via guillotine choke at 4:28 of the second round
• UFC on FOX(4/18/15) Sterling submitted Takeya Mizugaki via arm triangle at 2:11 of the third round
• UFC Fight Night(7/16/14) Sterling stopped Hugo Viana via strikes at 3:50 of the third round
• UFC 170(2/22/14) Sterling won a three round unanimous decision over Cody Gibson

IMPORTANT FACTS

Pro since 2011

Eight wins by submission (5 RNC, arm triangle, guillotine, modified kneebar), three by KO

Has won 12 of his last 14

Four fights at featherweight (3-1)

Most consecutive bantamweight title defenses in UFC history (3)

Had 6-1 amateur record

Four first round finishes

Two-time Division III All-American wrestler

Had 87-27 college wrestling record

Origin of nickname: “It comes from my wrestling style.”

Q & A

Q: When and why did you start training for fighting?

ANSWER: I started training because I saw a former teammate/colleague - Jon Jones - training, and I also saw a few TUF shows. I asked him for an opportunity to train with him, I was invited, and I haven’t looked back since. I thought it was tailor-made for me because I love one-on-one competition. It’s your skill set against my skill set. Nothing is more rewarding than knowing you earned your right to win!

Q: What ranks and titles have you held?

ANSWER: Former UFC bantamweight champion. I’m a black belt in BJJ, and a 2x All-American for SUNY Cortland at 133 and 141 lbs. I've held a belt at 135 and 145 lbs as an amateur. And I've held the Ring of Combat belt at 135 lbs, before vacating it to fight at CFFC and become their first 135 lbs champ.

Q: Do you have any heroes?

ANSWER: No heroes growing up. But I do look up to Al Iaquinta and Chris Weidman as role models now. I always try to match their work ethic and push myself past my limits.

Q: What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC?

ANSWER: Fighting the UFC means a lot to me. I finally feel like all the hard work and dedication I put into making this a career hasn't been for nothing. All the hours my trainers and I put in will not go unnoticed. I'm an animal just trying to do savage-like things out there! When I dream, I work. REALITY! That’s what I live by. And I’m gonna go get it!

Q: Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?

ANSWER: I went to SUNY Morrisville, studying accounting, before transferring to SUNY Cortland and getting my B.A. in Physical Education.

Q: What was your job before you started fighting?

ANSWER: I was working as a shoe salesman at Saks Fifth, before being fired because I needed to get last minute things for school and called out of work (Laughs). Then I just cut hair in school to help get by.

Q: Specific accomplishments in amateur competition?

ANSWER: Placed 4th & 6th at 133 lbs and 141 lbs as a JR & SR, respectively.

Q: Ranks in any martial arts styles:

ANSWER: I'm a black belt under Matt "The Great" Serra, black belt in wrestling, a third degree black-belt in Funk-Jitsu, and I just got a stripe for having wicked muscles (Laughs)

Q: Favorite grappling technique:

ANSWER: Rear naked choke all day!!

Q: Favorite Striking technique:

ANSWER: Leg kicks, to chop down the tree!

Aljamain

Sterling

UFC HISTORY & CAREER

IMPORTANT FACTS

Q & A

STRIKING ANALYSIS

GRAPPLING & WRESTLING

GENERAL ANALYSIS

Related News

SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER