Aljamain Sterling vs Bryan Caraway — Fight recap

Bryan Caraway defeated Aljamain Sterling via split decision at UFC Fight Night 89 on May 29, 2016, surviving a striking-heavy performance to secure the victory through superior wrestling. Sterling landed 32 significant strikes at 50% accuracy and controlled the action for 3:51, but struggled with takedown defense, allowing Caraway to land 3 of 6 attempts while controlling the cage for 6:34.

Caraway's wrestling proved decisive despite landing only 9 significant strikes at 29% accuracy, relying on top control and positional dominance to sway the judges in a competitive three-round affair. Sterling's 50% striking accuracy and body-strike efficiency—14 of 18 landed—demonstrated technical superiority on the feet, yet proved insufficient against Caraway's grappling-centric gameplan.

The split decision underscored Sterling's need to tighten takedown defense and convert striking volume into clearer round wins at bantamweight.