Aljamain Sterling solidified his legacy as one of the greatest bantamweight champions with a narrow split-decision victory over former titleholder Henry Cejudo at UFC 288.
The electrifying bout headlined the event at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., and showcased 25 minutes of back-and-forth action that left fans and judges divided.
Sterling (24-4 MMA, 16-4 UFC) entered the octagon after a dominant stoppage win against T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 280, and his bout against Cejudo was billed as a clash of champions.
Both fighters had moments of dominance, but Sterling’s grappling and striking output ultimately earned him the nod on two of the three scorecards.
After the fight, Sterling acknowledged the challenge:
“Henry is one of the toughest guys I’ve ever faced. I’m proud of what I accomplished that night, but it was as close as it gets.”
Cejudo, who had returned from retirement for the bout, left the cage visibly frustrated, believing he had done enough to win. Despite the loss, he remains a formidable figure in the bantamweight division.
Sterling’s Move to Featherweight
Since his UFC 288 victory, Sterling has transitioned to the featherweight division. His next test comes at UFC 310 on Dec. 7, where he faces undefeated contender Movsar Evloev (18-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
With potential title implications on the line, Sterling is looking to make an impact in his new weight class. The event, which airs on pay-per-view, ESPN 2, and ESPN+, promises another night of high-stakes action.
Fans can relive Sterling’s memorable win over Cejudo by watching the full fight highlights, which are now available online.
