Aljamain Sterling is willing to wait for No. 1 flyweight Joseph Benavidez to get his shot against current double champ Henry Cejudo.
It may take longer than expected for Aljamain Sterling to get his first UFC title shot, but he’s OK with that.
Sterling seemingly earned a bantamweight title shot earlier this month with a win over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 238, but said Sunday he would not mind if Joseph Benavidez is the next person to fight flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo.
Benavidez, who holds a 2016 win over Cejudo, defeated No. 1 flyweight Jussier Formiga last weekend at UFC Minneapolis. He has won three in a row.
“If I lost the first crack at Henry Cejudo to Joseph Benavidez, I wouldn’t be mad at all,” Sterling wrote on Twitter. “Joey B is legend of the game and with that performance it’s tough to argue who should get the first chance to dethrone the King. Congrats Benavidez!”
If I lost the first crack at @HenryCejudo to @JoeJitsu, I wouldn’t be mad at all. Joey B is legend of the game and with that performance it’s tough to argue who should get the first chance to dethrone the King. Congrats Benevidez! #UFCMinneapolis
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) June 30, 2019
Benavidez then replied to Sterling.
Man, I’ve always rooted for but this just means everything to me!! Much love and respect to ya! https://t.co/OYd77O3FzX
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) June 30, 2019
Cejudo, who defeated Marlon Moraes at UFC 238 to win the vacant 135-pound belt, is expected to be out until the end of the year or early 2019 due to an injury. He has not said yet whether he intends on defending his flyweight or bantamweight title first upon his return — or if he plans on relinquishing one of the titles to focus on only one division.
Benavidez and Sterling are the two No. 1 contenders in their respective divisions, and only time will tell who gets the next chance at fighting Cejudo.