Welcome to The Overtimer’s live coverage for UFC 288: Sterling vs Cejudo. This event marks the long-awaited return of former two-division champion and Olympic gold medalist Henry “Triple C” Cejudo to the Octagon. Cejudo returns to action following a three-year layoff, and has one goal in mind: recapturing UFC gold.
Welcoming Cejudo back to the UFC is the reigning bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling. Sterling’s controversial reign over the bantamweight division began with a DQ win over Petr Yan, who Sterling managed to dispatch via decision in the rematch. Sterling added victory over another former champion when he defeated TJ Dillashaw in his latest title defense.
UFC 288 Main Event Live: Sterling defeats Henry Cejudo to Maintain Bantamweight Title
Can Aljamain Sterling maintain his spot at the top of one of the sport’s most competitive divisions, cementing victory over a third former champ in a row? See our live coverage of the main event below.
Aljamain Sterling Def. Henry Cejudo via split decision (2x 48-47 Sterling, 1x 48-47 Cejudo)
Walkouts: Both fighters walked out in phenomenal shape. You’d never guess that Henry Cejudo spent three years out of the Octagon. Sterling is typically relaxed, Cejudo adorned in his gold medal. This is about as good as the sport gets. Seriously looking forward to this fight.
Sterling vs Cejudo R1: Sterling steps on the gas early, backing Cejudo up. Cejudo has adopted an upright, wide-legged stance. Cejudo is looking very mobile while Sterling continues to press.
CEJUDO LANDS A TAKEDOWN. Triple C made it look easy, and Sterling adopts butterfly guard . Sterling secures an overhook in the guard and moves into the turtle position, but Cejudo presses on top, attacking a head and arm choke early. Sterling’s artificial neck disc might present an issue here, but Sterling is able to stand back up and intiate a vicious striking exchange.
Cejudo attempts another takedown, but Sterling is wise to it this time, and moves onto the fence. Cejudo presses, attempting a headlock, and seems to be getting the better of the wall wrestling.
STERLING LANDS A TAKEDOWN! Sterling pushes Cejudo onto the fence and moves to threaten the back, delivering a series of brutally heavy knees to Cejudo’s thigh. Sterling’s arms are wrapped around Cejudo and he takes Cejudo’s back late in the round. Cejudo ends the round with Sterling on top.
A very close round, but The Overtimer scores it 10-9 Sterling.
Sterling vs Cejudo R2: Sterling opens the second round much the same as the first. It’s clear that neither man is afraid of the other’s grappling.
A jab from Sterling lands flush on Cejudo’s cheek. Cejudo is happy to throw a few kicks towards Sterling’s head, but Sterling’s reach advantage is certainly palpable. Sterling tries a takedown from about six feet away, and Cejudo easily stuffs the attempt.
Cejudo’s attempts to close distance and enter the pocket are routinely met with Sterling’s hands in his face. It’s a decent strategy for Sterling, but it’s clear that neither fighter can afford any mistakes. Cejudo grazes Sterling’s head with a kick, but neither fighter has landed much meaningful offense in this round. Sterling is slightly outstriking Cejudo this round, but it’s very close.
A late scramble is interrupted by the buzzer. The Overtimer scores this round 10-9 Cejudo, 19-19 overall.
Sterling vs Cejudo R3: Cejudo opens with a swift leg kick, and his feints appear to be opening Sterling up far more than in the previous rounds.
Cejudo ROCKS Sterling and secures top position with Sterling in the turtle, leaning heavily on Sterling’s neck and attempting a head and arm choke before landing a few heavy body shots.
Sterling stands up and throws a few heavy punches. Cejudo easily stuffs a Sterling takedown attempt, but Sterling manages to back Triple C onto the fence before Cejudo reverses him.
Sterling gets a takedown against the fence and threatens Cejudo’s back once again with three minutes to go. Although Aljo secures Cejudo’s back, Cejudo is able to push out of the grip, but not before Sterling lands a huge knee to the body.
Sterling is happy to try a few trips against the wall, and a failed takedown sees Cejudo take top position in the center of the Octagon. Cejduo attempts another head and arm choke, with Aljo managing to stand up. Sterling throws a few body kicks at Cejudo in the final minute, and Cejduo trips Sterling to land a decisive takedown.
The Overtimer scores the round 10-9 Cejudo, 29-28 overall.
Sterling vs Cejudo R4: As we head into the championship rounds, Aljo blasts Cejudo’s front leg with a series of low kicks.
While we scored that round for Cejudo, neither fighter should feel secure in their position. Sterling tries some head-body boxing, and Cejudo replies with a low kick. He has landed nineteen leg kicks over the course of the fight so far, and his right hand finds a home thanks to his kicking setups.
Cejudo’s hip feints seem to be making Sterling react, and Cejudo attempts a takedown against the fence. While Sterling remains standing, he looks for the underhooks to try and exert some control in the grappling exchanges.
Sterling is managing to unleash some knees to Cejudo’s body in the clinch, and it looks like Triple C might be slowing down.
Cejudo, too, tries the knees in the clinch, and from the clinch manages to transition to a front headlock. He is brutally abusing Sterling’s neck, and Sterling sits back into Cejudo, transitioning into a double leg attempt. He secures the takedown and ties Cejudo’s legs up in the final ten seconds of the round. Sterling finishes the round strong with a huge combination.
The Overtimer scores this round 10-9 Sterling, 38-38 overall.
Sterling vs Cejudo R5: Heading into the final round, both fighters need to dominate to be confident of a win. A finish here isn’t unlikely.
Cejudo’s corner wants him to step on the gas here, which may well play into Sterling’s hands. Cejudo takes the center early, and presses Sterling with more feints.
Sterling tries a high kick, Cejudo replies with a jab. Although Cejudo looked a little slower in the last round, he’s clearly in phenomenal shape, maintaining some serious pace and mobility in the final round of the fight. Triple C is showing no signs of ring rust whatsoever, at least thus far.
Cejudo grabs Sterling’s leg and lands a few heavy shots to the champ’s head. Sterling tries a takedown, but Cejudo effectively defends. Cejudo throws a series of knees to Sterling’s head, but the champ is unfazed.
The clinch pushes the fight to the fence once more, where it seems like Sterling feels he’s had the better of Triple C. Cejudo may well agree, as he circles out of the clinch to take the center again, and land a huge takedown!
Cejudo takes Sterling’s back in the final minute, joining his hands around Sterling’s abdomen and trying a couple of knees. Both fighters end the fight emptying the tank, and go the distance.
It’s hard to call the round one way or another, but Cejudo’s aggression and late grappling display gave him the edge in our opinion.
The Overtimer scores the round 10-9 Cejudo, 48-47 overall. Of course, now it’s over to the judges’ scorecards.
