(via Zuffa LLC)
UFC 288 Video Highlights: Aljamain Sterling Decisions Henry Cejudo In Close Battle
Henry Cejudo finally made his return to the Octagon in a UFC Bantamweight Championship clash against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288.
The two collided inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on May 6. Sterling was attempting his third successful bantamweight title defense, while Cejudo was looking to reclaim the gold he hadn't been beaten for.
Sterling wasted little time pressuring forward with high kick attempts. He went for a jumping knee that found air. Cejudo landed a leg kick. Sterling went for another knee, but "Triple C" got a hold of him and scored a takedown. Sterling was able to get back to his feet and the two swung leather.
Sterling was able to get Cejudo's back against the fence and took him down. He landed a knee to the body. The "Funk Master" went for Cejudo's back near the end of the round, but time ran out.
In the second round, Sterling was aggressive with kicks. He was effectively using his reach. Sterling scored with a straight punch upstairs. Cejudo connected with a leg kick. He was moving forward, but Sterling scored with a jab and had his own leg kicks. Cejudo landed a high kick to the chest of his opponent. "Triple C" tried tying up with Sterling, but nothing doing. He connected with a right hand on Sterling. The round ended with a scramble.
Cejudo stuffed a shot from Sterling and made the "Funk Master" pay with a knee to the body in the third round. Sterling and Cejudo got into a battle in the clinch. Sterling brought Cejudo down to the mat. Sterling landed his own knees to the body. A one-two was there for Sterling, followed by another knee to the solar plexus. Cejudo took Aljo down to end the round.
"Triple C" tied up Aljo and pressed him against the fence early in the fourth frame, but Sterling was able to separate again. The calf kicks of Sterling were paying dividends, and he scored a knee to the body. They met at the center of the Octagon with about a minute and a half left in the round. Cejudo grabbed a kick, and the two tied up yet again. Sterling scored the fourth takedown of the fight and threw a combination as the horn sounded.
Sterling was forced to stay on his heels, as Cejudo continued moving forward in the final stanza. A left hand was there for Cejudo. A leg kick connected for Cejudo. Sterling attempted a takedown, but he couldn't get it. Knees to the body were there for Cejudo. "Triple C" grabbed a hold of Aljo's leg and took him down, but the "Funk Master" popped back up. This was easily Cejudo's best round of the fight, but was it enough.
The answer was, "no." The score totals were read and two of the three judges gave the fight to Sterling, who emerged victorious via split decision.
Final Result: Aljamain Sterling def. Henry Cejudo via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
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