If all goes according to plan, the expected bantamweight title fight between Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo will take place at UFC 288 on May 6.
The bantamweight pair have been expected to face off for some time now, with at least one previous dated floated only to fall through. However, on his Weekly Scrap podcast, Sterling himself revealed the new date.
“I’m fighting May 6 against Henry Cejudo. I’m looking forward to the challenge. Again, I think Henry’s a very tough dude, very accomplished in the wrestling world, also in the MMA world,” Sterling said in his video announcement. “He’s had his ups and downs the same way I have, and he’s shown the ability to bounce back and I think that’s what makes us very very similar, that wrestling grit, that wrestling mentality, and how to keep improving, how to keep growing and how to keep learning.”
Cageside Press confirmed the date following Sterling’s announcement. The fight has not officially been announced by the UFC, but contracts are expected to be sorted out shortly.
No location or venue has been reported for UFC 288. In March, the promotion hits Las Vegas, then London, England for Pay-Per-View events, followed by a stop in Miami in April.
Sterling (22-3) last competed at UFC 280 in October, where he defeated a compromised T.J. Dillashaw, who appeared to struggle with a shoulder injury. Prior to that, he had won back-to-back fights against Petr Yan, first by controversial DQ, and later via split decision.
The UFC bantamweight champion has won eight straight fights dating back to UFC Atlantic City in 2018.
Cejudo (16-2) will be returning from retirement for the fight. He relinquished the title following a May 2020 win over Dominick Cruz. A former two-fight champ in the UFC, Cejudo first won gold at flyweight in August of 2018, defending the title once, then moved up to bantamweight to secure his second UFC championship the following year.
The UFC 288 card on May 6, 2023 currently features the following match-ups:
- Aljamain Sterling (c) vs. Henry Cejudo – for the UFC bantamweight championship
- Khaos Williams vs. Rolando Bedoya
- Johnny Muñoz Jr. vs. Daniel Santos
- Bryce Mitchell vs. Jonathan Pearce
