UFC 288: Can the Return of Cejudo End Sterling’s Moment in the Spotlight?

By
Gabriel Gonzalez
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Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo, UFC 288
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 05: (L-R) Opponents Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo face off during the UFC 288 ceremonial weigh-in at Prudential Center on May 05, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Henry Cejudo never lost a title belt inside the cage, but can he return to the summit after a three year layoff to unseat reigning bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288?

In truth, we just don’t know how good Aljamain Sterling is since last April.  His triumph over Petr Yan to cement himself as the best bantamweight of today was a seminal moment, to be sure.  But TJ Dillashaw’s poor showing with virtually one arm last October kept “The Funkmaster” from receiving the credit he deserved for besting yet another opponent to continue his reign at the top of the most stacked division in MMA.  That fact is what makes his next bout feel like it could be more competitive than the numbers might suggest.  Had we known that Sterling dominated a healthy and dangerous Dillashaw, then the mountain to climb might feel more imposing for his upcoming opponent.  Instead, that mystery of just how much better Sterling may (or may not) have become since last year makes his fight with Henry Cejudo feel much closer on paper.

Should he turn away another contender, he would add to his impressive resume that has seen him best veterans such as Yan, Cory Sandhagen, Pedro Munhoz, Jimmie Rivera, and Renan Barao.  Adding another consecutive big name would reassert his standing as one of the best bantamweights ever seen in MMA.  It would also put him on the cusp of the next chapter of his career.  In his own words, he has his eyes on one more opponent beyond Cejudo at bantamweight before moving on to the featherweight division where he sees himself staying briefly before ending his career.  That would seem like counting the proverbial chickens before they hatch to some, but perhaps it should be taken seriously coming from a man who has already done so much.

The last time Henry Cejudo was in the cage, he left the UFC abruptly after defending the bantamweight throne against former champion Dominick Cruz in 2020.  At the time, it felt like the two had irreconcilable differences with Cejudo looking for an increase in pay while the UFC responded by moving the division forward immediately without him.  In the three years since, Cejudo has become a force in the media with a successful YouTube channel, an occasional spot as Mike Tyson’s co-host on the Hotboxin’ podcast, and as a broadcaster for the short-lived Eagle FC.  But while his words have drawn attention since he was champion, his mind has now become respected as fighters ranging from Jon Jones, Jiri Prochazka, Zhang Weili, and Deiveson Figueiredo have all come to Arizona to work with him and his coach Eric Albarracin.

As one of only a handful of fighters to win UFC titles in two different weight classes, Cejudo’s place in the Hall of Fame is already secure.  But ever since his departure, he has expressed his desire to go for history and try to win the featherweight championship for an unprecedented UFC title victory in a third weight class.  After already holding an Olympic gold medal in wrestling to compliment MMA victories over the likes of Demetrious Johnson, Dominick Cruz, Marlon Moraes, and Dillashaw, adding the featherweight strap to his collection would put him in the type of rarefied air that is reserved for the greatest of all-time.  That said, he enters the bout with the most questions surrounding him as three years away is a long layoff for anyone.  At 36 years-old, he is also facing the daunting statistic that fighters that compete at welterweight or below are 2-28 in UFC title fights when over the age of 35.

While bantamweight is easily the most competitive division in the sport right now, top-contender and Dana White’s Contender Series alum Sean O’Malley is expected to get the next shot at the belt.  Should anything disrupt those plans, then a victory for Cejudo could open the door for the surging Merab Dvalishvili to get a shot at the belt.  Should Sterling retain the title, a rematch with Cory Sandhagen could be in the cards as both he and Dvalishvili have held firm that they won’t fight each other due to their friendship.

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