UFC 288 LIVE: Cejudo vs Sterling updates and results
Re-live updates as Cejudo returned to challenge Sterling after three years away
Aljamain Sterling retained the UFC bantamweight title against Henry Cejudo at UFC 288, as the latter failed to regain the belt after three years away.
Cejudo retired from MMA in 2020, moments after retaining the title, which he previously held alongside the flyweight belt. Sterling, 33, went on to win the gold in 2021 and retained it twice thereafter, and the Jamaican-American put it on the line again in the main event of UFC 288.
American Cejudo, an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, emerged from retirement in an attempt to reclaim the bantamweight strap, and a future shot at the featherweight title was also on the 36-year-old’s radar.
However, Cejudo fell at the first hurdle, losing a split decision to Sterling after five competitive rounds in New Jersey.
Re-live updates below. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.
UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo
Sean O’Malley enters the Octagon to face off with Sterling.
“Suga Sean” is next for the champion...
UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo
Aljamain Sterling def. Henry Cejudo via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47).
That was a competitive fight with so many actions and such an ebb and flow.
As Indy Sport sees it, 48-47 to Sterling is the correct scorecard.
UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo
Round 5
Cejudo catches a kick and turns it into a single-leg takedown, shoving Sterling to the fence and onto the mat.
Cejudo has a rear body lock after Sterling stands, and the fight ends against the fence.
UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo
Round 5
Final round! Cejudo presses forward, eventually landing a hard right hand.
Now the challenger kicks low, and again. He and Sterling grapple against the fence, before Cejudo steps away.
UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo
Round 4
Cejudo defends yet another takedown and holds Sterling in a front headlock.
Lovely reversal by Sterling, though, to get a double-leg takedown against the fence.
UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo
Round 4
Into the championship rounds we go.
Very efficient striking from Sterling early in Round 4, getting in and out of range quickly.
Cejudo catches Sterling with a solid knee to the head as the champion ducks.
UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo
Round 4
Cejudo grabs a body lock then trips Sterling to end the round.
UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo
Round 3
Sterling holds Cejudo against the fence, briefly getting him to the mat.
After Cejudo stands, he eats a brutal knee to the face from Sterling.
They separate, and Cejudo defends another double-leg takedown attempt by Sterling. Cejudo’s takedown defence is a joy to watch.
UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo
Round 3
“I need these next three rounds,” Cejudo’s coach tells him.
Hard low kick by Cejudo to start this round. Now the Olympic champion kicks to the body.
Again Cejudo has Sterling in north-south after stuffing an instinctive takedown attempt by Sterling.
The pair stand, and Sterling lands a right hook behind the ear of his challenger.
Cejudo defends a takedown and lands a knee to the body.
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