UFC 288: Aljamain Sterling edges Henry Cejudo, gets face-to-face with Sean O'Malley (Video)
Aljamain Sterling retains bantamweight title against Henry Cejudo at UFC 288 before facing off with next challenger Sean O'Malley.
Returning to the Octagon for the first time in three years, Henry Cejudo came so close, but failed to recapture the UFC bantamweight title, as Aljamain Sterling retained in their UFC 288 main event.
Sterling now becomes the first man in bantamweight history to successfully retain the title three times.
Following the fight, Sterling and O'Malley got into a verbal spat in the Octagon after the official announcement O'Malley would be next in line for the title shot. If Sterling's words come true, these two could clash in September.
SEAN O'MALLEY ENTERS THE OCTAGON TO CALL OUT STERLING 😦#UFC288 pic.twitter.com/6WREFjS9cc
— UFC (@ufc) May 7, 2023
UFC 288: Aljamain Sterling makes history with third successful title defense
Sterling tried to get on the front foot right away, throwing a couple of strong kicks. About a minute in, however, Cejudo caught a kick and secured a body lock before taking Sterling down. Cejudo transitioned and looked for a guillotine. Sterling seemed to do better striking-wise, thanks to his reach, when the fight got back to the feet.
Sterling proceeded to score his own takedowns. With seconds left to go in the first, Sterling got to Cejudo's back, though he was unable to secure the submission.
Big close to the first round for @FunkMasterMMA 👊 #UFC288 pic.twitter.com/1TxHvVgLKm
— UFC (@ufc) May 7, 2023
As the fight's pace slowed in the second, Cejudo became the one on the front foot as the two traded. Sterling, however, remained in control during the trading thanks to his reach advantage. Cejudo ended up on top in a scramble at the end of the round.
Cejudo came forward quickly early in the third, and as Sterling shot in, Cejudo grabbed at his neck. Sterling went in for a takedown but found himself reversed by Cejudo. Sterling, however, reversed and got Cejudo down. Cejudo sprawled on another Sterling takedown attempt but couldn't get anything to fight back against Sterling's path of success.
After plenty of trading in the fourth round, Cejudo managed to take Sterling down and wrap his neck again. Sterling, however, managed to land a double-leg in a reversal before the round's end.
After Cejudo tried to pressure Sterling during the fifth round, Cejudo scored a major takedown with less than a minute left, with the fight ending with the two of them pummeling against the cage.
All three judges scored the fight 48-47, with two awarding the bout and title to Sterling, giving him the win.
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