Aljamain Sterling retains Bantamweight title after defeating Henry Cejudo via split decision at UFC 288

Against Henry Cejudo, Aljamain Sterling put his title on the line tonight. Funk Master, though, was able to hold off Triple C and successfully managed to retain his gold strap.

At the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the main event of UFC 288 featured a title fight between Cejudo, a former flyweight and bantamweight champion, and Sterling, the reigning bantamweight champion.

In his last 5 fights, Aljamain Sterling has beaten:

Cory Sandhagen
Petr Yan x2
TJ Dilashaw
Henry Cejudo

Whether if you love or hate him, this man has built an impressive streak in the Bantamweight division #UFC288 pic.twitter.com/ntuoiHRAlh

— 𝐉𝐚𝐲🤼 (@JayMMA4) May 7, 2023

By a score of 48-47, 47-48, and 48-47, the judges awarded Sterling a split decision victory over the resurgent bantamweight kingpin.

What did Henry Cejudo and Aljamain Sterling say in their post-fight interview?

Due to Petr Yan’s disqualification, many questioned Sterling’s honor as the bantamweight champion. Having successfully defended his title three times, the Funk Master is nonetheless steadily establishing himself as one of the best bantamweight fighters in the promotion.

To retain his title, Sterling defeated Henry Cejudo, TJ Dillashaw, and Petr Yan in just a single year. But Sterling arguably achieved one of his greatest triumphs to date against Triple C. Hence, the reigning champion made sure to thank the legendary UFC fighter after winning.

“Hats off to Henry Cejudo, I knew it was a close fight coming into it. Henry’s a dog, he’s a legend. It wasn’t an easy task to run through him like I did everyone else,” said Sterling.

Aljamain Sterling & Henry Cejudo show each other respect after UFC 288 🤝❤ pic.twitter.com/Vtonp79JCw

— Best MMA Moments (@XcellentMMA) May 7, 2023

Former UFC double champion Henry made a comeback after a three-year layoff to reclaim his glory. The former two-division champion, however, was unsuccessful in his attempt. The 36-year-old MMA fighter is now unsure whether he’s going to continue his octagon adventure any longer.

“If I’m not first, I’m last. I need to go back and talk to my wife and [UFC president] Dana White. We go back and think about it, maybe this is my last time in the octagon,” said Cejudo.