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On May 6, 2023, Aljamain Sterling defended his bantamweight title against Henry Cejudo in the main event of UFC 288 held in Newark, New Jersey. The highly anticipated fight was marked as a game-changer in the bantamweight division, as both fighters had previously held the championship and were determined to claim it again.
After Cejudo took a three-year retirement, he was hopeful to recover the title he never lost in the Octagon. However, Sterling, who had won the championship via disqualification from Petr Yan at UFC 259 in March 2021, had other plans. Sterling managed to retain his bantamweight title and end Cejudo’s hope for a comeback, winning by a split decision over Cejudo. While two judges scored the fight 48-47 for the champion, the third judge scored the fight 48-47 for Cejudo.
Sterling’s victory at UFC 288 marks his ninth straight win, with three successful title defenses at bantamweight under his belt, and has conferred him as the fighter with the most wins in UFC bantamweight history, with 14. At 33 years old, Sterling now holds the longest active winning streak in the division.
The result of the fight may be perplexing for some, given that Cejudo was considered an Olympic-level wrestler and had previously held the flyweight and bantamweight championships in the UFC. However, Sterling’s aggressive fighting style and strategic approach to the fight may have contributed to his victory. As a fighter who is known for his grappling skills, Sterling opted for more stand-up striking, something that Cejudo may not have expected. This change of strategy ultimately gave Sterling an edge over his opponent.
Winning against a fighter of Cejudo’s calibre and reputation could potentially open up opportunities for Sterling outside of the bantamweight division. With his ability to make strategic adjustments, Sterling could undoubtedly give a tough time to fighters in other weight classes. Conversely, the loss suffered by Cejudo demonstrates that even the most accomplished fighters may have to face disappointment at some point in their career.
In conclusion, Aljamain Sterling’s victory over Henry Cejudo at UFC 288 was remarkable and proved his resilience, adaptability, and strategic mindset. It will be interesting to see how Sterling progresses from here on and what other fighters he might face in the future.
