See how fellow UFC fighters reacted to Aljamain Sterling narrowly defeating Henry Cejudo to retain the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 288
Aljamain Sterling is now the only man in UFC history to successfully retain the undisputed UFC bantamweight championship three times, as he just manages to defeat former champ Henry Cejudo in the UFC 288 main event.
Sterling came out firing right away, looking to use his reach to his advantage and control the fight from the start. Cejudo, however, was able to catch him and score a takedown in the first round. Sterling, however, had his own success in taking Cejudo down, even getting to his back before the round's end.
Cejudo tried to take control back in the second, but Sterling still held firm control with his striking. Cejudo tried to rush in to start the third round and went for Sterling's neck. Cejudo scored a takedown, but Sterling scored another one of his own. The fourth round had plenty of trading, but Cejudo's takedown of Sterling was followed by Sterling scoring a takedown again.
Cejudo scored a major takedown in the final minute of the final round, but it wasn't enough. While one judge awarded Cejudo the bout, the other two gave it to Sterling, allowing him to retain the title.
UFC 288: Pros react to Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo
Easiest money I’ve ever made. Not a scratch on Aljo! Congrats Funkmaster! Good little fighter is Henry but give it a rest with these agendas all the time. The guy is sub 20 fights in his career. His little feints an all ahaha omg please teach me mastermind lol. Done the splits…
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 7, 2023
4-1 I had it also. https://t.co/5qITvrofXD
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 7, 2023
Since when did triple C become a fan favorite ? 😂😂😂 took some
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) May 7, 2023
Time off and reminded people
How much they miss you 🤣 #UFC288
What a fight! Two champs! #ufc288
— GIGA CHIKADZE (@giga_chikadze) May 7, 2023
Close fight
— C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) May 7, 2023
That was a great fight and coulda went either way. Good win by the champ #kogang #ufc288
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) May 7, 2023
That was a great fight and coulda went either way. Good win by the champ #kogang #ufc288
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) May 7, 2023
Win or lose, champion or not that’s my mentor, my brother, my family 🙏🏽 love you bro @HenryCejudo
— Tracy Cortez’s ERA (@TracyCortezmma) May 7, 2023
Nice Bantamweight scrap!!! #Ufc288
— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) May 7, 2023
Sterling entered this fight looking for his third bantamweight title defense. He originally won the title with a disqualification win over Petr Yan at UFC 259 before retaining it in a rematch with Yan at UFC 273 and against T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 280.
Prior to his three-year retirement, Cejudo became flyweight champion with a win over Demetrious Johnson at UFC 227. After retaining the belt against Dillashaw, Cejudo finished Marlon Moraes at UFC 238 to become champ-champ by adding the then-vacant bantamweight title to his mantle.
Cejudo retired following his bantamweight title defense against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249.