Aljamain Sterling edges out Henry Cejudo by split decision to RETAIN bantamweight title at UFC 288
Aljamain Sterling edges out Henry Cejudo by split decision to RETAIN bantamweight title at UFC 288, with champion teeing up Sean O’Malley clash after thrilling five-round battle in New Jersey
- Aljamain Sterling saw off Henry Cejudo in a back-and-forth main event, which lasted all 25 minutes
- Cejudo finished well but it was not enough to sway the judges in his favour, with the champ taking a decision
- He hinted at retirement, while Sterling set up a fight against Sean O’Malley, who entered the cage
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Aljamain Sterling edged out a split decision win over Henry Cejudo, shunting Triple C back towards retirement at UFC 288.
Cejudo’s grand plans of a bold attempt to move up and challenge Alexander Volkanovski at featherweight have been scuppered at the first hurdle, and he suggested he’ll call it a day again.
‘Funk Master’, fighting in front of a home crowd in New Jersey, was surprisingly booed, with most of the fans siding with Cejudo on his return to action.
The octagon rust of three years out appeared to be there, although the former two-weight champion did show signs of the old power, fight IQ and wrestling pedigree that saw him previously dominate.
Here though, at 36, he looked a millisecond too slow when it mattered and struggled to close the distance to the wiry, long Sterling, who peppered him from range.
More to follow…
Aljamain Sterling retained his title after a back-and-forth clash with Henry Cejudo went his way by split decision
Sterling could operate from range and force his challenger to come inside striking distance, making use of his length
Cejudo, despite his wrestling pedigree, found himself up against it at time, with Sterling showing his range of skills
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