LIVE: UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and former division kingpin Henry Cejudo face off in Newark’s Prudential Center on Sunday AEST at UFC 288.
Aljamain Sterling will for a third time look to defend his title against Cejudo, who makes his hyped return to the Octagon after three years away.
Remarkably, 36-year-old Cejudo, a former two-division champ is the favourite to win back the title he vacated when he initially retired back in 2020.
Regardless of who walks away with the belt, both men are looking to use a win this weekend to catapult them into a blockbuster with Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski.
Watch UFC 288: Sterling v Cejudo LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Sunday May 7 from 12pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >
For Cejudo, the fight would represent his shot at a staggering third division title, while Sterling has long believed himself capable of earning ‘champ champ’ status against Volkanovski.
“I don’t see why not,” Sterling told Fox Sports Australia when asked about moving up to take a shot at Volkanovski.
“Bantamweight is a tough weight cut for me.
“And even though I do get down here, I do make it, I feel like I leave a little behind.
“And that’s why some of my best showings are in the (practice) room compared to the fight itself. So who knows? That could be the next step in my career.
“And why not test myself? I’m getting older so why not take some risks?
“I know when you’re investing, they say take all the risks while you’re young and then when you get older you can be a little more conservative.
“But this door isn’t going to be open forever.
“So I want to take the opportunities when they’re presented.”
Meanwhile in the co-headliner, Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns face off in a title eliminator.
The winner is in line for a potential shot at UFC welterweight king Leon Edwards or two-time title challenger Colby Covington, with the two expected to face off in the coming months.
‘I’m here to take down Alex Volkanovski’ | 05:41
UFC 288 FIGHT CARD
Main Event (12pm AEST)
Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo
Belal Muhammad vs. Gilbert Burns
Jessica Andrade vs. Yan Xiaonan
Movsar Evloev vs. Diego Lopes
Kron Gracie vs. Charles Jourdain
Prelims (10am)
Drew Dober vs. Matt Frevola
Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Devin Clark
Khaos Williams vs. Ronaldo Bedoya
Marina Rodriguez vs. Virna Jandiroba
Early Prelims (8.30am)
Braxton Smith vs. Parker Porter
Phil Hawes vs. Ikram Aliskerov
Joseph Holmes vs. Claudio Ribeiro
Watch UFC 288: Sterling v Cejudo LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Sunday May 7 from 12pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >
Sterling wants Volk action post Cejudo? | 04:04
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