Aljamain Sterling
Active 2014–present · rated in 5 editions · peak overall 88.0
Scouting report
Setting the UFC record for most consecutive bantamweight title defenses with three, Aljamain "Funk Master" Sterling climbed to the top of the division through positional control. Raised in Uniondale, New York, and representing Serra-Longo, Sterling defended his title against Petr Yan, T.J. Dillashaw, and Henry Cejudo. His ground game is reflected in a 95 BJJ and 92 Wrestling, with an 88 Overall rating.
Peak ratings
By edition
Sterling faced tough competition between 2016 and 2017, defeating Augusto Mendes and former champion Renan Barao at UFC 214 in Anaheim while dropping split decisions to Bryan Caraway and Raphael Assuncao and a knockout loss to Marlon Moraes. His wrestling scrambles, back takes, and jiu-jitsu control are reflected in an 88 Wrestling and 92 BJJ rating over these bouts.
Sterling won four consecutive fights from 2018 to 2019 over Brett Johns, Cody Stamann via Suloev stretch at UFC 228 in Dallas (3:42 into round two), Jimmie Rivera, and Pedro Munhoz. His wrestling, back-take ability, and pace are documented by a 90 Wrestling and 90 Cardio rating during this contender run.
In June 2020 at UFC 250 in Las Vegas, Sterling submitted Cory Sandhagen in 88 seconds with a rear-naked choke. In March 2021 at UFC 259, he captured the UFC Bantamweight Championship against Petr Yan via disqualification after Yan landed an illegal knee on a downed Sterling. His grappling transitions, submission offense, and control are reflected in a 95 BJJ and 92 Wrestling.
Sterling defended his bantamweight title by defeating Petr Yan in their UFC 273 rematch in Jacksonville, stopping TJ Dillashaw at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, and outpointing Henry Cejudo at UFC 288 in Newark before losing the belt to Sean O'Malley at UFC 292 in Boston. His fight management and mat pressure are reflected in an 80 Boxing and 89 Fight IQ.
Aljamain Sterling, the grappler who built a title reign on control
Aljamain Sterling came out of Uniondale, New York, and trained at Serra-Longo. He won the bantamweight title in 2021 when Petr Yan was disqualified for an illegal knee, then defended it against Yan in a split decision in 2022 and against TJ Dillashaw later that year. He later lost the belt to Sean O'Malley. Sterling has an unusual style built on long limbs, scrambles and positional control.
Sterling's ratings explained
Boxing. His lowest striking number. He is not a big puncher and his boxing is mostly functional.
Kickboxing. Slightly better. He uses length and kicks to keep distance.
Wrestling. Very strong. He controls opponents on the mat and in scrambles.
BJJ. His best rating. Back takes, chokes and dogged top pressure.
Strength. The other soft spot. He wins by technique and not by force.
Durability. Good. He can take a hard fight, though a knockout ended his reign.
Cardio. Very good. He stays effective across five rounds.
Fight IQ. High. He reads scrambles well and finds ways to win awkward fights.
BJJ at 95 makes him a grappling threat
Sterling's BJJ is the top number on the card, and it matches the way he wins. Even when a fight seems close on the feet, he can shift to the mat and take control. Draft him if your other picks hold up on the feet and you want a grappler to break ties.
Strength is a limit
At 76, Strength is the lowest rating on his card. He can be outmuscled and does not carry knockout power. A heavy-handed striker who keeps the fight standing removes his best tools, so consider a team with a counter to that plan.
Keep exploring
Closest bantamweight profiles to Aljamain Sterling, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Urijah Faberbest wrestling 90 · weakest strength 76
- Umar Nurmagomedovbest wrestling 95 · weakest strength 76
- Renan Baraobest kickboxing 90 · weakest strength 76
- Raphael Assuncaobest bjj 88 · weakest strength 74
- Bantamweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Aljamain Sterling's strongest attribute, BJJ.
Draft Aljamain Sterling into your build
Aljamain Sterling enters the pool on any spin landing on bantamweight between 2016 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Aljamain Sterling is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Aljamain Sterling's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.