The UFC’s Bantamweight division is gearing up for an interesting match between former Flyweight and Bantamweight double-champion Henry “The Messenger” Cejudo and current Bantamweight champion Aljamain “Funk Master” Sterling. This fight, scheduled for UFC 288 on May 6, is anticipated to bring renewed energy and excitement to the division.
The bantamweight belt will be on the line in New Jersey!! 🏆 vs will officially be the main event!
[ 🎟️ Tickets on sale next Friday, March 17th ]
— UFC ()
The History of Henry Cejudo Vs. Aljamain Sterling for the Bantamweight Title
Cejudo, also known as “Triple C,” earned his nickname through his impressive achievements in the UFC. In 2018, he defeated Demetrious Johnson in their rematch, claiming the Flyweight belt. The following year, he became a double-champion by defeating Marlon Moraes for the Bantamweight title, which had been vacated by T.J. Dillashaw just three months prior. The ‘Triple’ part of his nickname refers to his gold medal win in wrestling at the 2008 Olympic Games in the 55kg weight category.
Cejudo shocked the combat sports world by announcing his retirement immediately after defending his Bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249. Many people were skeptical about his decision, suspecting that he was using his retirement as a bargaining tool to renegotiate his contract with the UFC. Although he remained inactive for nearly three years, Cejudo continued to stay relevant by publicly calling out whoever held the Bantamweight title during his absence.
Aljamain Sterling’s UFC debut in 2014 was a quiet one, but he made a name for himself after bouncing back from a shocking knockout loss to Marlon Moraes in 2017. He then went on an impressive five-win streak, culminating in a first-round submission of top contender Cory Sandhagen. Sterling’s first shot at the title was against then-champion Petr Yan, where he secured the belt after Yan landed an illegal knee and was disqualified.
Some people called Sterling a “paper champion” and doubted the legitimacy of his victory over Yan. Nevertheless, Sterling silenced his critics by winning a hard-fought, five-round split decision over Yan in their rematch, cementing his position as a legitimate champion. He successfully defended his title for the second time at UFC 280 …read more
Source:: Heavy.com