Aljamain Sterling: UFC Record, Fight History & Bio

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Fighter metrics

Wins by KO: 3
Wins by submission: 8
Wins by decision: 15
Significant strikes / fight: 74.5

Striking accuracy

52%

1,186 landed · 2,262 attempted

Takedown accuracy

24%

Recent fight form

Latest 5 verified results in our archive · 2023-08-19 to 2026-04-25

Wins

3 / 5

Losses

2 / 5

Historical results, not a prediction. See opponents and methods in fight history below.

Fight history

Youssef Zalal
Apr 25, 2026
Win
Decision - Unanimous · Round 5 · 5:00
Brian Ortega
Aug 23, 2025
Win
Decision - Unanimous · Round 5 · 5:00
Movsar Evloev
Dec 7, 2024
Loss
Decision - Unanimous · Round 3 · 5:00
Calvin Kattar
Apr 13, 2024
Win
Decision - Unanimous · Round 3 · 5:00
Sean O'Malley
Aug 19, 2023
Loss
KO/TKO · Round 2 · 0:51
Henry Cejudo
May 6, 2023
Win
Decision - Split · Round 5 · 5:00
TJ Dillashaw
Oct 22, 2022
Win
KO/TKO · Round 2 · 3:44
Petr Yan
Apr 9, 2022
Win
Decision - Split · Round 5 · 5:00
Petr Yan
Mar 6, 2021
Win
DQ · Round 4 · 4:29
Cory Sandhagen
Jun 6, 2020
Win
Submission · Round 1 · 1:28
Cody Stamann
Sep 8, 2018
Win
Submission · Round 2 · 3:42
Brett Johns
Apr 21, 2018
Win
DEC · Round 3 · 5:00
Marlon Moraes
Dec 9, 2017
Loss
KO/TKO · Round 1 · 1:08
Renan Barao
Jul 29, 2017
Win
DEC · Round 3 · 5:00
Augusto Mendes
Apr 15, 2017
Win
DEC · Round 3 · 4:51
Raphael Assuncao
Jan 28, 2017
Loss
DEC · Round 3 · 5:00
Bryan Caraway
May 29, 2016
Loss
DEC · Round 3 · 5:00
Johnny Eduardo
Dec 10, 2015
Win
Submission · Round 2 · 4:20

Aljamain Sterling Bio

Aljamain Sterling is an American mixed martial artist competing in the UFC’s featherweight division. Born on July 31, 1989, in Uniondale, New York, he developed his foundation in wrestling before transitioning to mixed martial arts. Sterling became a two-time NCAA Division III All-American at SUNY Cortland and earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He trains with Serra-Longo on Long Island and holds a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Matt Serra.

Sterling made his UFC debut on February 22, 2014, defeating Cody Gibson by unanimous decision. He later became UFC bantamweight champion after defeating Petr Yan by disqualification at UFC 259 in March 2021. Sterling successfully defended the title against Yan, T.J. Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo before losing it to Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 in August 2023. He moved to featherweight in 2024, defeating Calvin Kattar, and has remained an active UFC athlete. His documented UFC victories over Brian Ortega in August 2025 and Youssef Zalal in April 2026 mark later milestones in his featherweight career.

Known as “The Funk Master,” Sterling is recognized for an unorthodox wrestling-heavy approach, dynamic grappling and submission ability. His style blends chain wrestling, positional control and opportunistic attacks with increasingly developed striking. At 5 feet 7 inches tall with a 71-inch reach, he has competed in both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. The UFC lists him as active and identifies Serra-Longo in Long Island, New York, as his training base.

Record: 26-5-0
Division: Featherweight
Fighting style: Kickboxer
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 145 lbs.
Reach: 71"
Leg reach: 39.00
Gym / team: Serra-Longo Fight Team
Nationality: United States
Residence: Massapequa, New York, U.S.[1]
Birth date: Jul 31, 1989 (age 37)
Age: 37
Country: United States

Aljamain Sterling Questions & Answers

What division does Aljamain Sterling currently compete in?

As of October 13, 2026, Aljamain Sterling is listed as an active UFC featherweight.

Where does Aljamain Sterling train?

The UFC lists Serra-Longo in Long Island, New York, as Aljamain Sterling’s training location.

When did Aljamain Sterling make his UFC debut?

Aljamain Sterling made his UFC debut on February 22, 2014, defeating Cody Gibson by unanimous decision.

What is Aljamain Sterling’s height?

Aljamain Sterling is listed at 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a 71-inch reach.

When was Aljamain Sterling born, and where is he from?

Aljamain Sterling was born on July 31, 1989. He is from Uniondale, New York.

Did Aljamain Sterling attend college?

Yes. He attended Morrisville State College before transferring to SUNY Cortland, where he became a two-time NCAA Division III All-American wrestler and earned a degree in physical education.

What is Aljamain Sterling’s most significant UFC title achievement?

He won the UFC bantamweight championship at UFC 259 in March 2021 after Petr Yan was disqualified for an illegal knee. Sterling later retained the title against Yan, T.J. Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo.

How would you describe Aljamain Sterling’s fighting style?

Aljamain Sterling is known for a wrestling-centered, grappling-heavy approach that uses chain takedowns, positional control and submission threats, complemented by developing striking.