The current UFC bantamweight title holder, Aljamain Sterling, retained his title by defeating the former champion, T.J. Dillashaw, at the co-main event of UFC 280. After that, everyone was curious about who might be the next probable fighter for Sterling to defend his title.
As previously reported, Lieutenant Dan was injured prior to the title fight, so many thought he deserved a rematch, but after his retirement decision, another former champion, Henry Cejudo, was considered the probable opponent for the Funk Master, and Sterling confirmed that as well.
“The fight is supposed to be myself and Henry Cejudo; I think that’s all said and done.”
Aljamain Sterling, on his podcast “The Weekly Scraps” reports that his partially torn bicep will NOT allow him to fight In March. Source: @funkmasterMMA
— MMA UNDERGROUND (@theUG) January 11, 2023
As it was expected that the title defense bout would take place within the first few months of 2023 [March], but recently, Sterling revealed he is suffering from a bicep injury for which he is not fully prepared to square off against Cejudo.
“It’s whether or not I can compete with this torn bicep again. Going through another training camp with a torn bicep, against a guy [Henry Cejudo] who is stronger in the wrestling department, who will use his wrestling more. I’m going to need this bicep to compete at 100 percent.”
Currently the 33-year-old is more focused on his recovery phase, as he knows Cejudo is so well-prepared for the Octagon return that fighting against him without being fully fit would be a foolish decision.
“I’m going to need this bicep to compete at 100%. And I don’t take Henry Cejudo lightly. Is it realistic for me to fight in March? I don’t think it really is.”
I did misspeak. It’s not fully torn like I did in 2016. This is a partially torn bicep tendon that been buggin me for almost a year now https://t.co/qdhqznwcWD
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 10, 2023
However, after the interview went on public Sterling tweeted and clarified about his current injury situation,
“I did misspeak. It’s not fully torn like I did in 2016. This is a partially torn bicep tendon that been buggin me for almost a year now.”
