| Aljamain Sterling | |
|---|---|
 Sterling at UFC 228 in 2018 | |
| Born | Aljamain Antoine Sterling[1] (1989-07-31)July 31, 1989 (age 36) Uniondale, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | Funk Master |
| Residence | Massapequa, New York, U.S.[2] |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Weight | 146 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) |
| Division | Bantamweight (2011–2023) Featherweight (2011, 2024–present) |
| Reach | 71 in (180 cm)[3] |
| Fighting out of | Uniondale, New York, U.S. |
| Team | Serra-Longo Fight Team |
| Trainer | Ray Longo[5] Matt Serra[6] Eric Nicksick[7] |
| Rank | Black belt inBrazilian jiu-jitsu underMatt Serra[8] |
| Wrestling | NCAADivision IIIWrestlingAll-American[9] |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 30 |
| Wins | 25 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 8 |
| By decision | 13 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Other information | |
| University | SUNY Cortland, BS in physical education |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Aljamain Antoine Sterling (born July 31, 1989) is an American professionalmixed martial artist. He currently competes in theFeatherweight division of theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a formerUFC Bantamweight Champion.[10] Sterling is the first UFC champion to win a title by disqualification. He also competed forCage Fury Fighting Championship, where he is a formerCage Fury Fighting Bantamweight Champion. As of August 26, 2025, he is #5 inUFC featherweight rankings.[11]
Sterling was born in 1989 inUniondale, New York toJamaican parents, Cleveland and Sophia Sterling.[2][12] He grew up with seven full siblings and at least 12 half-siblings.[2] To stay away from the prevalent gang life in which some of his brothers joined, Sterling started wrestling atUniondale High School in 2004.[13][2]
Unable to catch up with the grades to reach Division I, Sterling opted to enroll atMorrisville State College where he continued wrestling.[2] During the time in Morrisville, Sterling developed an interest in MMA when he metJon Jones and trained on the wrestling team.[14] After his freshman year, Sterling transferred toCortland and eventually became a two-time NCAA Division IIIAll-American with a record of 87–27.[2][15] Sterling graduated from Cortland with a bachelor's degree inphysical education.[16]
After years of absence from wrestling competition, Sterling wrestled and grappled two-timeNCAA DI wrestling All-American andsophomore fromPenn StateRoman Bravo-Young, on December 22, 2020, at theNLWC IV.[17] The rules consisted of six minutes offreestyle wrestling and three minutes ofBrazilian jiu-jitsu.[18] Sterling was defeated by points in the first match 6-4 but tapped out Bravo-Young in the second one.[19]
Sterling's nickname “The Funk Master” comes from his unorthodox wrestling style.[16]
While studying in Cortland, Sterling was invited by Jones to try out mixed martial arts at his gym of that time, The BombSquad inIthaca, New York.[2] A few fights into his professional career, Sterling left The BombSquad and started training atSerra-Longo Fight Team.[2]
Sterling started his amateur career in 2009 with a submission win. Prior to turning pro Sterling compiled a 6–1 amateur record with the lone loss coming by way of split decision, he would eventually avenge this loss. Sterling captured the Raging Wolf amateur Bantamweight Championship and Extreme FC amateur Featherweight Championship along the way.[20]
Sterling started his professional career 2–0, before earning a shot at the ROC Bantamweight Championship. He would go on to defeatClaudio Ledesma by split decision to capture the title.[21] Although this would turn out to be his last bout under the Ring of Combat organization, as he would later sign withCage Fury Fighting Championships.
Sterling made his CFFC debut in a Featherweight bout against Evan Chmieleski. He won the fight by TKO with just two seconds left in the first round. This victory earned him a shot at the vacant CFFC Bantamweight Championship. Sterling defeated Sean Santella via unanimous decision to capture his second professional title. He would go on to defend the CFFC Bantamweight Championship on three occasions. Sterling finished all three of his title defenses byrear naked choke, which earned him the opportunity to compete in theUFC.
Sterling was scheduled to make his UFC debut atUFC 170 againstLucas Martins, replacing an injuredBryan Caraway.[22] However Martins was eventually injured as well and replaced by fellow UFC newcomer Cody Gibson.[23] Sterling won the fight via unanimous decision.[24]
Sterling made his second UFC appearance on July 16, 2014, atUFC Fight Night 45 againstHugo Viana.[25] After controlling the majority of the fight Sterling landed a barrage of punches from the mount position causing the referee to wave off the fight late in the third round.
Sterling was expected to faceMitch Gagnon atUFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine on October 4, 2014.[26] However, Sterling pulled out of the bout and was replaced byRob Font.[27]
Following a quick recovery, Sterling was promptly rebooked and was expected to faceFrankie Saenz on November 8, 2014, atUFC Fight Night 55.[28] However, Saenz was forced to withdraw from the bout and in turn promotional newcomer Michael Imperato was briefly linked as a replacement.[29] However, his signing was quickly rescinded[30] and as a result, Sterling was pulled from the event altogether.[31]
Sterling was expected to faceManny Gamburyan on April 18, 2015, atUFC on Fox 15.[32] However, Gamburyan pulled out of the bout citing injury and was replaced byTakeya Mizugaki.[33] Sterling won the fight by submission in the third round.
Sterling facedJohnny Eduardo on December 10, 2015, atUFC Fight Night 80.[34] He won the fight via submission in the second round.[35]
Sterling next facedBryan Caraway on May 29, 2016, atUFC Fight Night 88.[36] Despite dominating the first round, Sterling began to tire and would go on to lose the following two rounds and lose via split decision.[37]
Sterling was expected to faceRaphael Assunção on December 9, 2016, atUFC Fight Night 102.[38] However, Sterling pulled out of the fight on November 23 citing injury.[39] Assunção was subsequently removed from the card.[40]
The bout with Assunção was rescheduled and took place on January 28, 2017, atUFC on Fox 23.[41] Sterling lost the fight via split decision.[42]
Sterling facedAugusto Mendes on April 15, 2017, atUFC on Fox 24.[43] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[44]
Sterling facedRenan Barão on July 29, 2017, atUFC 214.[45] The fight was initially contracted to be contested at bantamweight, however on June 28, theCSAC announced that they would not license Barão to compete at that weight due to hisstruggle to make the required weight atUFC 177. The bout with Sterling proceeded as scheduled at a catchweight of 140 lbs.[46] Sterling won the bout by unanimous decision.[47]
Sterling was expected to faceRani Yahya on December 9, 2017, atUFC Fight Night 123.[48] However, Yahya pulled out from the event on November 7, 2017, due to injury,[49] and was replaced byMarlon Moraes.[50] He lost the fight via KO in the first round.[51]
Sterling facedBrett Johns on April 21, 2018, atUFC Fight Night 128.[52] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[53]
Sterling facedCody Stamann on September 8, 2018, atUFC 228.[54] He won the fight via submission in the second round.[55]
Sterling facedJimmie Rivera on February 17, 2019, atUFC on ESPN 1.[56] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[57]
Sterling facedPedro Munhoz on June 8, 2019, atUFC 238.[58] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[59]
Sterling facedCory Sandhagen on June 6, 2020, atUFC 250 in a bout that UFC president Dana White confirmed to be a bantamweight title eliminator.[60][61] He won the bout via submission in the first round.[62] This win earned him his firstPerformance of the Night.[63]
Sterling was expected to facePetr Yan for theUFC Bantamweight Championship on December 12, 2020, atUFC 256.[64] However, on November 22, it was announced the bout was scrapped from the UFC 256 card due to undisclosed reasons[65] and the bout took place on March 6, 2021, atUFC 259.[66] Sterling won the fight by disqualification due to an intentional illegal knee in the fourth round, becoming the newUFC Bantamweight Champion. He became the first fighter in UFC history to win a championship by disqualification.[67]
A rematch with Yan was expected to take place on October 30, 2021, atUFC 267.[68] However, on September 25, Sterling withdrew from the contest due to lingering neck issues from surgery.[69] The pair was initially rescheduled to meet atUFC 272 on March 5, 2022,[70] but the bout was pushed back toUFC 273 on April 9.[71] Sterling won the close bout and defended the title via split decision.[72] 11 of 18 MMA media outlets scored the bout for Sterling, while 5 scored it as a draw.[73]
Sterling successfully defended his title againstT.J. Dillashaw on October 22, 2022, atUFC 280.[74] Following a shoulder dislocation suffered by Dillashaw in the first, Sterling defended the title via TKO in the second round, marking his first victory by strikes in nearly eight years.[75][76][77]
Sterling facedHenry Cejudo on May 6, 2023, atUFC 288.[78] He won the fight by split decision and retained his title.[79] 21 of 23 MMA media outlets scored the bout for Sterling, while 2 scored it for Cejudo.[80]
Sterling facedSean O'Malley on August 19, 2023, atUFC 292.[81] He lost the fight by second-round technical knockout and lost his title.[82]
Sterling moved up to the featherweight division and facedCalvin Kattar on April 13, 2024, atUFC 300.[83] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[84] On an episode of The MMA Hour following the win, Sterling confessed he would have considered retiring if he lost to Kattar.[85]
Sterling was scheduled to faceMovsar Evloev on October 5, 2024 atUFC 307.[86] However, Sterling withdrew from the fight due to an injury sustained in sparring.[87] The pairing was eventually rescheduled toUFC 310 on December 7, 2024.[88] Sterling lost the fight by unanimous decision.[89]
Sterling faced formerUFC Featherweight Championship challengerBrian Ortega on August 23, 2025 atUFC Fight Night 257.[90] Originally slated as a featherweight bout, the fight was changed to a 153-poundcatchweight after reports that Ortega experienced complications during his weight cut.[91] Sterling won the fight by unanimous decision.[92]
Sterling has also competed insubmission grappling, defeating Damien Nitkin at High Rollerz 18 on August 13, 2022.[93]
Sterling was originally booked to compete in a superfight againstNathaniel Wood atPolaris 25 on September 30, 2023.[94] Wood withdrew from the match on a few week's notice and was replaced byMike Grundy.[95] Sterling defeated Grundy by decision.[96]
Sterling faced Kevin Dantzler in the main event of Fury Pro Grappling 8 on December 30, 2023.[97] The bout was largely uneventful, with Dantzler immediately sitting down and spending the entirety in bottom position. The highlights of the match came when Dantzler attempted an armbar which Sterling defended by picking him up and spinning him around, along with dragging Dantzler around the mat by his ankle. Dantzler won the bout by decision. Sterling criticized the result, saying, "I don’t even know how they score that. Another man can’t drag his ass cheeks on the mat and think that’s a win, doing absolutely nothing."[98][99][100]
Sterling competed againstChase Hooper in the main event of ADXC 2 on January 19, 2024.[101] He won the match by split decision.[102]
Sterling faced Jay Jay Wilson on July 25, 2024 atKarate Combat'sPit Submission Series 7.[103] He won the bout by points in the overtime round.[104]
| 30 matches | 25 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 2 |
| By submission | 8 | 0 |
| By decision | 13 | 3 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 theUFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 23–3 | Henry Cejudo | Decision (split) | UFC 288 | May 6, 2023 | 5 | 5:00 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | Defended theUFC Bantamweight Championship. Broke the record for the most consecutive UFC Bantamweight title defenses (3). |
| Win | 22–3 | T.J. Dillashaw | TKO (punches) | UFC 280 | October 22, 2022 | 2 | 3:44 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Defended theUFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 21–3 | Petr Yan | Decision (split) | UFC 273 | April 9, 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Defended and unified theUFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 20–3 | Petr Yan | DQ (illegal knee) | UFC 259 | March 6, 2021 | 4 | 4:29 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won theUFC 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. |
| 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 | |
| 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[118] |
| 2. | UFC 292 | Sterling vs. O'Malley | August 19, 2023 | TD Garden | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | Not Disclosed[119] |
| Achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | 9thUFC Bantamweight Champion March 6, 2021 – August 19, 2023 | Succeeded by |
Updated to 4 November 2025 |
