Is there any division in the UFC more contentious than bantamweight? With the furore surrounding Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan seemingly quelled for now, former champ Henry Cejudo is emerging from retirement to take the belt from Aljamain Sterling. In a recent interview with Daniel Cormier, Sterling and Cejudo came face to face, with Cejudo planning to “expose” Aljamain Sterling, who is more accustomed than most to being underestimated.
Cejudo began: “Too many flaws. I’m going to expose him. He’s got a lot of flaws. As good as he is, he’s got an ability to him, and I think that is his greatest asset: his limbs. But I still don’t think he understands his whole capabilities just yet. Think about it this way, I’m 5-foot-4, small, short, but I know how to fight people where people don’t touch me. I know how to wrestle people, I’m a better competitor than I am a fighter. So when I see a guy like Aljamain Sterling, that’s easy money.
Aljamain Sterling on Potential Henry Cejudo Fight: “He’s Had enough pie, but he hasn’t had enough humble pie.”
He’s got the belt, but he’s not the best in the world. If you’re talking about competing, you’ll never be a better competitor than me. But everyone has a puncher’s chance.”
Aljamain Sterling pointed out that he spent his entire title reign thus far being told how easy it was to beat him, but he’s still here. “I didn’t know if the guy was serious or not.
I like my chances. I’ve heard it all. I’ve had people doubt me for literally 13 months telling me I’m gonna get done any way possible like we’re in a prison cell and this guy’s gonna bend me over backwards and have his way. What else can people say? I just go out there and do what I gotta do, put the work in and show up for work, punch the clock in and walk out with the hand raised.
I like proving people wrong. It’s satisfying. There’s something very satisfying about talking your s***, then being the guy who walks away like, ‘How bout that?’ It’s not s*** talking [in this case], but somebody has to eat their words and that’s what makes it all the more satisfying because someone has to eat the humble pie.
I feel like Henry, he’s had enough pie, but he hasn’t had enough humble pie.” Do you think Cejudo vs Sterling will go ahead? Is Aljamain Sterling as easy an opponent for “Triple C” as he seems to think? Let us know in the comments.
