 |
| Getty images |
Aljamain Sterling of Jamaica defeated American Henry Cejudo by split decision in the UFC 288 main event after surviving a late takedown attempt. Sterling thus successfully defended his 135-pound title.
The 33-year-old Sterling ruined Cejudo's attempt to return after a three-year sabbatical by winning his ninth straight bout. Challenger Sean O'Malley immediately confronted Sterling inside the cage, and the two combatants needed to be quickly separated.
While 17,559 paying spectators watched Cejudo attempt to turn back the clock, Sterling (23-3) broke into an expletive-filled outburst against O'Malley and was booed outside the Prudential Centre.
Sterling prevailed 48-47 on two cards, Cejudo 48-47 on one. When Cejudo won the 55-kilogram freestyle competition in 2008, he made history by becoming the youngest American to win an Olympic wrestling gold medal at the age of 21. Instead of trying to win another UF championship at age 36, Cejudo may ultimately retire.
Henry Cejudo was disappointed over losing to Aljamain Sterling.
Cejudo had the bantamweight belt when he abruptly retired in May 2020 after successfully defending the title against Dominick Cruz. Cejudo is the only individual to have won both an Olympic gold medal and a UFC title.
Cejudo stated, "I hate to lose, but it's also been three years." Cejudo admitted he was "a little bit confused" about his plans for the future and that he would go home and consider the future course of his fight. Who knows, this might be the last time in the Octagon.
Bantamweight Title
The Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is one of the most exciting weight classes in mixed martial arts (MMA). It is a weight class for fighters who weigh between 126 and 135 pounds. The Bantamweight title at UFC is highly coveted, and there have been many great fighters who have held the title over the years.
The Bantamweight division is known for its fast-paced and technical fights, with many of the fighters being highly skilled in both striking and grappling. Some of the most exciting fighters in the division include Cory Sandhagen, Rob Font, and Sean O'Malley.
The Bantamweight title at UFC is one of the most prestigious titles in MMA, with a rich history of great champions and exciting fights. With Aljamain Sterling currently holding the title, the division is as competitive as ever, and fans can expect to see many more thrilling fights in the years to come.
AljamainSterling, HenryCejudo, UFC288, BantamweightTitle, Champion, TitleDefense, MMA, UFC, FightNight
.jpeg)
