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Aljamain Sterling

Updated: Wikipedia source

Aljamain Sterling

Aljamain Antoine Sterling (born July 31, 1989) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC Bantamweight Champion. Sterling is the first UFC champion to win a title by disqualification. He also competed for Cage Fury Fighting Championship, where he is a former Cage Fury Fighting Bantamweight Champion. As of April 28, 2026, he is in UFC featherweight rankings.

Infobox

Born
Aljamain Antoine Sterling (1989-07-31) July 31, 1989 Uniondale, New York, U .
Other names
Funk Master
Height
5 ft 7 in (1 m)
Weight
146 lb (66 kg; 10 st)
Division
Bantamweight (2011–2023) Featherweight (2011, 2024–present)
Reach
71 in (180 cm)
Fighting out of
Uniondale, New York, U .
Team
Serra-Longo Fight Team
Trainer
Ray Longo Matt Serra Eric Nicksick
Rank
Black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Matt Serra
Wrestling
NCAA Division III Wrestling All-American
Years active
2010–present
Total
31
Wins
26
By knockout
2
By submission
8
By decision
3
By disqualification
1
Losses
5
University
SUNY Cortland, BS in physical education
Website
aljamainsterling
Channel
FunkMasterMMA
Subscribers
90 thousand
Views
18 million

Tables

Professional record breakdown · Mixed martial arts record
By knockout
By knockout
31 matches
By knockout
26 wins
3
5 losses
2
By submission
By submission
31 matches
By submission
26 wins
8
5 losses
0
By decision
By decision
31 matches
By decision
26 wins
14
5 losses
3
By disqualification
By disqualification
31 matches
By disqualification
26 wins
1
5 losses
0
31 matches
26 wins
5 losses
By knockout
3
2
By submission
8
0
By decision
14
3
By disqualification
1
0
· Mixed martial arts record
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
26–5
Opponent
Youssef Zalal
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal
Date
April 25, 2026
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
25–5
Opponent
Brian Ortega
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang
Date
August 23, 2025
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Shanghai, China
Notes
Catchweight (153 lb) bout.
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
24–5
Opponent
Movsar Evloev
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 310
Date
December 7, 2024
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
24–4
Opponent
Calvin Kattar
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 300
Date
April 13, 2024
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Return to Featherweight.
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
23–4
Opponent
Sean O'Malley
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
UFC 292
Date
August 19, 2023
Round
2
Time
0:51
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Notes
Lost the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
23–3
Opponent
Henry Cejudo
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC 288
Date
May 6, 2023
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Notes
Defended the UFC Bantamweight Championship. Broke the record for the most consecutive UFC Bantamweight title defenses (3).
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
22–3
Opponent
T . Dillashaw
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
UFC 280
Date
October 22, 2022
Round
2
Time
3:44
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Notes
Defended the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
21–3
Opponent
Petr Yan
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC 273
Date
April 9, 2022
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Notes
Defended and unified the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
20–3
Opponent
Petr Yan
Method
DQ (illegal knee)
Event
UFC 259
Date
March 6, 2021
Round
4
Time
4:29
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Won the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
19–3
Opponent
Cory Sandhagen
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
UFC 250
Date
June 6, 2020
Round
1
Time
1:28
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
UFC Bantamweight title eliminator. Performance of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
18–3
Opponent
Pedro Munhoz
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 238
Date
June 8, 2019
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
17–3
Opponent
Jimmie Rivera
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Velasquez
Date
February 17, 2019
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
16–3
Opponent
Cody Stamann
Method
Submission (Suloev stretch)
Event
UFC 228
Date
September 8, 2018
Round
2
Time
3:42
Location
Dallas, Texas, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
15–3
Opponent
Brett Johns
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee
Date
April 21, 2018
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
14–3
Opponent
Marlon Moraes
Method
KO (knee)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega
Date
December 9, 2017
Round
1
Time
1:07
Location
Fresno, California, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
14–2
Opponent
Renan Barão
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 214
Date
July 29, 2017
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Anaheim, California, United States
Notes
Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
13–2
Opponent
Augusto Mendes
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis
Date
April 15, 2017
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
12–2
Opponent
Raphael Assunção
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC on Fox: Shevchenko vs. Peña
Date
January 28, 2017
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Denver, Colorado, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
12–1
Opponent
Bryan Caraway
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Garbrandt
Date
May 29, 2016
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
12–0
Opponent
Johnny Eduardo
Method
Submission (guillotine choke)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. VanZant
Date
December 10, 2015
Round
2
Time
4:18
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
11–0
Opponent
Takeya Mizugaki
Method
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Event
UFC on Fox: Machida vs. Rockhold
Date
April 18, 2015
Round
3
Time
2:11
Location
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
10–0
Opponent
Hugo Viana
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Miller
Date
July 16, 2014
Round
3
Time
3:50
Location
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
9–0
Opponent
Cody Gibson
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 170
Date
February 22, 2014
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
8–0
Opponent
Joel Roberts
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
Cage Fury FC 30
Date
November 2, 2013
Round
1
Time
1:49
Location
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States
Notes
Defended the CFFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
7–0
Opponent
Sidemar Honorio
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
Cage Fury FC 16
Date
August 24, 2012
Round
2
Time
4:05
Location
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Notes
Defended the CFFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
6–0
Opponent
Casey Johnson
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
Cage Fury FC 14
Date
April 14, 2012
Round
3
Time
2:11
Location
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Notes
Defended the CFFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
5–0
Opponent
Sean Santella
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
Cage Fury FC 11
Date
October 22, 2011
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Notes
Return to Bantamweight. Won the CFFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
4–0
Opponent
Evan Chmielski
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
Cage Fury FC 10
Date
July 23, 2011
Round
1
Time
4:58
Location
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Notes
Featherweight debut.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
3–0
Opponent
Claudio Ledesma
Method
Decision (split)
Event
Ring of Combat 36
Date
June 17, 2011
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Notes
Won the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
2–0
Opponent
Harley Leimbach
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
Extreme Fight Club: Bragging Rights 2
Date
May 21, 2011
Round
1
Time
4:01
Location
Erie, Pennsylvania, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
1–0
Opponent
Sergio da Silva
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
Urban Conflict Championships 4: Supremacy
Date
April 22, 2011
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Morristown, New Jersey, United States
Notes
Bantamweight debut.
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
26–5
Youssef Zalal
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal
April 25, 2026
5
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
25–5
Brian Ortega
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang
August 23, 2025
5
5:00
Shanghai, China
Catchweight (153 lb) bout.
Loss
24–5
Movsar Evloev
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 310
December 7, 2024
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
24–4
Calvin Kattar
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 300
April 13, 2024
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Return to Featherweight.
Loss
23–4
Sean O'Malley
TKO (punches)
UFC 292
August 19, 2023
2
0:51
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Lost the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
23–3
Henry Cejudo
Decision (split)
UFC 288
May 6, 2023
5
5:00
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Defended the UFC Bantamweight Championship. Broke the record for the most consecutive UFC Bantamweight title defenses (3).
Win
22–3
T . Dillashaw
TKO (punches)
UFC 280
October 22, 2022
2
3:44
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Defended the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
21–3
Petr Yan
Decision (split)
UFC 273
April 9, 2022
5
5:00
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Defended and unified the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
20–3
Petr Yan
DQ (illegal knee)
UFC 259
March 6, 2021
4
4:29
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Won the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
19–3
Cory Sandhagen
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC 250
June 6, 2020
1
1:28
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
UFC Bantamweight title eliminator. Performance of the Night.
Win
18–3
Pedro Munhoz
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 238
June 8, 2019
3
5:00
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win
17–3
Jimmie Rivera
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Velasquez
February 17, 2019
3
5:00
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win
16–3
Cody Stamann
Submission (Suloev stretch)
UFC 228
September 8, 2018
2
3:42
Dallas, Texas, United States
Win
15–3
Brett Johns
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee
April 21, 2018
3
5:00
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss
14–3
Marlon Moraes
KO (knee)
UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega
December 9, 2017
1
1:07
Fresno, California, United States
Win
14–2
Renan Barão
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 214
July 29, 2017
3
5:00
Anaheim, California, United States
Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Win
13–2
Augusto Mendes
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis
April 15, 2017
3
5:00
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Loss
12–2
Raphael Assunção
Decision (split)
UFC on Fox: Shevchenko vs. Peña
January 28, 2017
3
5:00
Denver, Colorado, United States
Loss
12–1
Bryan Caraway
Decision (split)
UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Garbrandt
May 29, 2016
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
12–0
Johnny Eduardo
Submission (guillotine choke)
UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. VanZant
December 10, 2015
2
4:18
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
11–0
Takeya Mizugaki
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
UFC on Fox: Machida vs. Rockhold
April 18, 2015
3
2:11
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win
10–0
Hugo Viana
TKO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Miller
July 16, 2014
3
3:50
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win
9–0
Cody Gibson
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 170
February 22, 2014
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
8–0
Joel Roberts
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Cage Fury FC 30
November 2, 2013
1
1:49
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States
Defended the CFFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
7–0
Sidemar Honorio
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Cage Fury FC 16
August 24, 2012
2
4:05
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Defended the CFFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
6–0
Casey Johnson
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Cage Fury FC 14
April 14, 2012
3
2:11
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Defended the CFFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
5–0
Sean Santella
Decision (unanimous)
Cage Fury FC 11
October 22, 2011
5
5:00
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Return to Bantamweight. Won the CFFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win
4–0
Evan Chmielski
TKO (punches)
Cage Fury FC 10
July 23, 2011
1
4:58
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Featherweight debut.
Win
3–0
Claudio Ledesma
Decision (split)
Ring of Combat 36
June 17, 2011
3
5:00
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Won the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship.
Win
2–0
Harley Leimbach
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Extreme Fight Club: Bragging Rights 2
May 21, 2011
1
4:01
Erie, Pennsylvania, United States
Win
1–0
Sergio da Silva
Decision (unanimous)
Urban Conflict Championships 4: Supremacy
April 22, 2011
3
5:00
Morristown, New Jersey, United States
Bantamweight debut.
· Submission grappling record
Result
Result
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Result
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Rec.
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Opponent
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Method
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Event
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Date
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Location
Win
Win
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Win
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
3–1
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Jay Jay Wilson
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Decision (points)
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Karate Combat 48
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
July 25, 2024
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win
Win
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Win
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
2–1
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Chase Hooper
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Decision (split)
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
ADXC 2
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
January 19, 2024
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Loss
Loss
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Loss
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
1–1
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Kevin Dantzler
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Decision (majority)
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Fury Pro Grappling 8
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
December 30, 2023
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win
Win
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Win
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
1–0
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Mike Grundy
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Decision (unanimous)
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Polaris 25: Absolute GP
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
September 30, 2023
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Ebbw Vale, Wales
4 Matches, 3 Wins, 1 Losses 0 Draws
Result
Rec.
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Location
Win
3–1
Jay Jay Wilson
Decision (points)
Karate Combat 48
July 25, 2024
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win
2–1
Chase Hooper
Decision (split)
ADXC 2
January 19, 2024
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Loss
1–1
Kevin Dantzler
Decision (majority)
Fury Pro Grappling 8
December 30, 2023
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win
1–0
Mike Grundy
Decision (unanimous)
Polaris 25: Absolute GP
September 30, 2023
Ebbw Vale, Wales
· Pay-per-view bouts
1.
1.
No
1.
Event
UFC 288
Fight
Sterling vs. Cejudo
Date
May 6, 2023
Venue
Prudential Center
City
Newark, New Jersey, United States
PPV buys
Not Disclosed
2.
2.
No
2.
Event
UFC 292
Fight
Sterling vs. O'Malley
Date
August 19, 2023
Venue
TD Garden
City
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
PPV buys
Not Disclosed
No
Event
Fight
Date
Venue
City
PPV buys
1.
UFC 288
Sterling vs. Cejudo
May 6, 2023
Prudential Center
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Not Disclosed
2.
UFC 292
Sterling vs. O'Malley
August 19, 2023
TD Garden
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Not Disclosed
· External links
Preceded byPetr Yan
Preceded byPetr Yan
Achievements
Preceded byPetr Yan
Achievements
9th UFC Bantamweight Champion March 6, 2021 – August 19, 2023
Achievements
Succeeded bySean O'Malley
Achievements
Preceded byPetr Yan
9th UFC Bantamweight Champion March 6, 2021 – August 19, 2023
Succeeded bySean O'Malley

References

  1. fightersrec
    https://fightersrec.com/Fighter/Aljamain-Antoine-Sterling
  2. "Fight Card – UFC Fight Night Machida vs. Rockhold"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150926080211/http://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-fight-night-newark-new-jersey/printFightCard
  3. ufcstats
    http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/cb696ebfb6598724
  4. MMA Junkie
    https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/05/ufc-news-opinion-coach-ray-longo-analysis-aljamain-sterling-not-enough-credit-because-not-conventional-fighter
  5. MMA News | UFC News, Results & Interviews
    https://www.mmanews.com/news/matt-serra-aljamain-sterling-will-break-jaw-alexander-volkanovski-super-fight
  6. MMA Fighting
    https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/10/12/23390760/aljamain-sterlings-coach-believes-champ-gained-respect-back-from-fanbase-ahead-of-ufc-280
  7. fansided
    https://fansided.com/2019/08/04/aljamain-sterling-earns-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-black-belt
  8. "Aljamain Sterling on UFC Newark: 'You know why I'm here'"
    http://www.axs.com/news/aljamain-sterling-on-ufc-newark-you-know-why-i-m-here-39175
  9. ufc
    https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-259-official-scorecards-results-blachowicz-adesanya-nunes-anderson-yan-sterling
  10. www
    https://www.ufc.com/rankings
  11. espn
    https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/26866086/wrestling-allowed-aljamain-sterling-make-own-path
  12. "Aljamain Sterling feels 'pretty good' about odds he'll fight next for UFC bantamweight title"
    https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/5/20/21262214/aljamain-sterling-feels-pretty-good-about-odds-hell-fight-next-for-ufc-bantamweight-title
  13. "UFC Long Island: Aljamain Sterling"
    https://projects.newsday.com/sports/mma/ufc-long-island-aljamain-sterling/
  14. "Aljamain Sterling on a similar path to success as mentor UFC Champ Jon Jones"
    http://mmadiehards.com/live/features/aljamain-sterling-on-a-similar-path-to-success-as-mentor-ufc-champ-jon-jones/
  15. "Sherdog Prospect Watch: Aljamain Sterling"
    http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/Sherdog-Prospect-Watch-Aljamain-Sterling-52081
  16. cortland
    https://www2.cortland.edu/news/detail.dot?id=04bcbcb7-44c4-4af4-a804-c6caa0dbc4b9
  17. The Daily Collegian
    https://www.collegian.psu.edu/sports/wrestling/article_ab40f576-3783-11eb-8fbb-7fc3448275b9.html
  18. Twitter
    https://twitter.com/funkmasterMMA/status/1336017611801337856
  19. The Daily Collegian
    https://www.collegian.psu.edu/sports/wrestling/article_e5701aba-44cb-11eb-8dff-3709ca9dd7bc.html
  20. "Aljamain Sterling "Funk Master""
    http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/f/05AAFAD78CC5E653/Aljamain-Sterling/
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