Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo Now Targeted For UFC 288 (Update)

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In the latest update to the turbulent changes surrounding the reported Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo bantamweight title bout, Sterling has now confirmed that the fight is currently set to take place in May at UFC 288.
Sterling defended his UFC bantamweight title against TJ Dillashaw last October at UFC 280. He defeated Dillashaw via a second-round TKO in his second title defense as champion.
Sterling has won eight fights in a row since a knockout loss to Marlon Moraes in Dec. 2017. He earned the title via disqualification against Petr Yan at UFC 259 before successfully defending it against Yan in a split decision at UFC 273.
Cejudo will earn an immediate bantamweight title shot after a nearly three-year hiatus from competition. He defeated Dominick Cruz in his final title defense at UFC 249 before vacating the belt and retiring.
The bout was originally targeted for a sooner date, eventually UFC 285 in March, but Sterling ruled that date out as he continued to recover from injuries. The bout was then targeted for UFC 287 in April before today’s latest update of the UFC 288 booking.
Road To Aljamain Sterling Vs. Henry Cejudo

Sterling and Cejudo have gone back and forth over the past year regarding a potential fight. After Sterling hinted that Cejudo would need to beg to earn a title shot, it appears Cejudo won’t need to after all.
Cejudo re-entered the USADA testing pool last year in hopes of a UFC return. After a meeting with UFC matchmakers Hunter Campbell and Sean Shelby, Cejudo called for a fight against Sterling.
Cejudo has also called for a super fight against UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski repeatedly. He even offered to step in to face Volkanovski on short notice last year following Max Holloway’s withdrawal. In fact, Cejudo has previously stated that his impending return to bantamweight is all just a means to the end of facing Volkanovski in a champion vs. champion bout down the road.
Sterling has flip-flopped when it comes to his interest in a fight with Cejudo. After initially seeming open to the matchup, he then expressed fear that the fight wouldn’t pique the interest of fans. Now, it appears that the fight is as good as done, although no contracts have been signed as of yet.
UFC 288 takes place Saturday, May 6, 2023. There is currently no main event or location confirmed for the event.
Who do you think will win if this fight finally goes down: Aljamain Sterling or Henry Cejudo?
Want to suggest a correction or provide other feedback? Contact the editor at [email protected]!

In the latest update to the turbulent changes surrounding the reported Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo bantamweight title bout, Sterling has now confirmed that the fight is currently set to take place in May at UFC 288.


Sterling defended his UFC bantamweight title against TJ Dillashaw last October at UFC 280. He defeated Dillashaw via a second-round TKO in his second title defense as champion.


Sterling has won eight fights in a row since a knockout loss to Marlon Moraes in Dec. 2017. He earned the title via disqualification against Petr Yan at UFC 259 before successfully defending it against Yan in a split decision at UFC 273.


Cejudo will earn an immediate bantamweight title shot after a nearly three-year hiatus from competition. He defeated Dominick Cruz in his final title defense at UFC 249 before vacating the belt and retiring.


The bout was originally targeted for a sooner date, eventually UFC 285 in March, but Sterling ruled that date out as he continued to recover from injuries. The bout was then targeted for UFC 287 in April before today’s latest update of the UFC 288 booking.


Road To Aljamain Sterling Vs. Henry Cejudo
Collage-Maker-02-Jun-2022-04.46-PM-1024x576.jpg.optimal.jpg

Sterling and Cejudo have gone back and forth over the past year regarding a potential fight. After Sterling hinted that Cejudo would need to beg to earn a title shot, it appears Cejudo won’t need to after all.


Cejudo re-entered the USADA testing pool last year in hopes of a UFC return. After a meeting with UFC matchmakers Hunter Campbell and Sean Shelby, Cejudo called for a fight against Sterling.


Cejudo has also called for a super fight against UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski repeatedly. He even offered to step in to face Volkanovski on short notice last year following Max Holloway’s withdrawal. In fact, Cejudo has previously stated that his impending return to bantamweight is all just a means to the end of facing Volkanovski in a champion vs. champion bout down the road.


Sterling has flip-flopped when it comes to his interest in a fight with Cejudo. After initially seeming open to the matchup, he then expressed fear that the fight wouldn’t pique the interest of fans. Now, it appears that the fight is as good as done, although no contracts have been signed as of yet.


UFC 288 takes place Saturday, May 6, 2023. There is currently no main event or location confirmed for the event.


Who do you think will win if this fight finally goes down: Aljamain Sterling or Henry Cejudo?


Want to suggest a correction or provide other feedback? Contact the editor at [email protected]!




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