UFC 288: Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo – Betting Preview

UFC 288 Aljamain Sterling vs Henry Cejudo Betting PreviewReturning to ‘The Garden State’ this weekend for a pay-per-view flagship event, the UFC are slated to host a UFC 288 showcase at Prudential center in Newark, New Jersey. And taking main event honors at the event is an undisputed bantamweight title fight between current champion, Aljamain Sterling, and former two-division best, Henry Cejudo. Attempting […]

UFC 288 Aljamain Sterling vs Henry Cejudo Betting Preview

Returning to ‘The Garden State’ this weekend for a pay-per-view flagship event, the UFC are slated to host a UFC 288 showcase at Prudential center in Newark, New Jersey. And taking main event honors at the event is an undisputed bantamweight title fight between current champion, Aljamain Sterling, and former two-division best, Henry Cejudo.

Attempting to leave himself unmatched alongside his bantamweight championship peers, Uniondale native, Sterlingh has the opportunity to become the first division titleholder in UFC history to successfully defend the bantamweight crown on three consecutive occasions.

As for Cejudo, the Los Angeles-born Olympic gold medalist has himself the chance to join past foes, Dominick Cruz, and T.J. Dillashaw as two-time titleholders at the bantamweight.

In the midst of a stunning eight-fight undefeated streak, Sterling has successfully defended his bantamweight crown against both former champions, Petr Yan and the above-mentioned, Dillashaw since his reign began back in 2021.

As for Cejudo, the former undisputed bantamweight and flyweight kingpin has been sidelined through a surprising retirement back in May 2020, calling time on his stunning career following a successful title defense of his own against the above-noted, Cruz. 

However, despite Sterling’s impressive reign of dominance over his bantamweight compatriots, the returning Cejudo is closing as a -120 betting favorite to reclaim the throne over at BetWay at the time of publication. 

Not out of the race with the bookies at the time of publication, however, Sterling has received a slew of wagers in the weeks ahead of UFC 288, and is currently sat as a narrow +105 betting underdog to retain his championship against Cejudo in the night’s headlining title showdown. 

Seeing the untimely cancellation of an originally slated co-main event slot between former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira, and Beneil Dariush for UFC 288, the promotion have since replaced the clash with a potential welterweight title-eliminator between Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad – over the course of five rounds to boot.

And off the back of his impressive decision win over Jorge Masvidal just over four weeks ago, Burns has emerged as a -125 betting favorite to defeat surging contender, Muhammad in the night’s co-main event – with the #4 ranked contender closing as a +100 betting underdog against Burns in New Jersey. 

In another interesting main card clash, former undisputed strawweight champion, Jessica Andrade makes her return to the Octagon in a high-stakes division clash against Yan Xiaonan at the Prudential Center. And given her prior title-winning experience, Andrade is sat as a -170 betting favorite to defeat the +140 betting underdog, Xiaonan at UFC 288. 

Set to make his first Octagon walk since November 2019, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert, Kron Gracie make his long-awaited return to the sport this weekend in the main card opener of UFC 288 to boot – taking on Canadian featherweight, Charles Jourdain.

8-1 as a professional, Gracie is closing as a +150 betting underdog to prevent a second consecutive loss in his return against Jourdain – with the latter sat as a -187 betting favorite ahead of their UFC 288 clash. 

Henry Cejudo eyes fight with ‘Privileged brat’ Sean O’Malley ahead of UFC 288: ‘I’m going to hurt him’

Henry Cejudo calls for fight with 'privileged brat' Sean O'Malley ahead of UFC 288 returnFormer two-weight UFC champion, Henry Cejudo has called for a future title outing against the current #2 ranked division contender, Sean O’Malley in the future – as he prepares to make his retirement-snapping return at UFC 288 this weekend. Cejudo, a former undisputed bantamweight and flyweight gold holder under the banner of the UFC, has […]

Henry Cejudo calls for fight with 'privileged brat' Sean O'Malley ahead of UFC 288 return

Former two-weight UFC champion, Henry Cejudo has called for a future title outing against the current #2 ranked division contender, Sean O’Malley in the future – as he prepares to make his retirement-snapping return at UFC 288 this weekend.

Cejudo, a former undisputed bantamweight and flyweight gold holder under the banner of the UFC, has been sidelined from active competition since retiring from mixed martial arts back in May 2020 after a second round knockout win over former champion, Dominick Cruz

Slated to make his Octagon return this weekend in Newark, New Jersey, Cejudo will take on current bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling in an undisputed title fight.

Henry Cejudo calls for title fight with Sean O’Malley next ahead of UFC 288

And despite winning gold nor making his return from retirement yet, Cejudo has called for a fight with the above-mentioned Dana White’s Contender Series alum, O’Malley in the future. 

“I wouldn’t mind two tune-ups before I go against Alexander Volkanovski,” Henry Cejudo told assembled media ahead of UFC 288. “Sean O’Malley, he’s that dirty Q-tip, he’s a privileged brat. I think we all know that, and I’m going to hurt him. But first things first, Aljamain is first.”

“I know he’s confident, but I know deep down inside that he respects me a little too much. He’s going to see that competitor once the cage locks, he’s going to look into my eyes, and he’s going to to see what I’m made out of. Sean O’Malley is next and I like that fight. I love the fact that he’s tall, I love the fact that he’s popular, and I’m going to hurt that dude.”

“Right away, I want O’Malley,” Henry Cejudo explained. “Make sure he listens to this – I want him right away. I want to take at least about a month off and then boom, UFC, set it up. Let’s set it up and let’s do it in Boston. Let’s do it in his backyard. That wannabe American. Let’s do it in Boston.” 

Aljamain Sterling plots featherweight title siege ahead of UFC 288 return: ‘Maybe I defend the belt one time’

Aljamain Sterling plots featherweight move following UFC 288 return maybe I defend the belt one timeAhead of his incoming UFC 288 championship outing against former titleholder, Henry Cejudo this weekend, reigning bantamweight kingpin, Aljamain Sterling has his sights set on an eventual championship outing at the featherweight limit, in pursuit of a second Octagon crown. Slated to headline UFC 288 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this weekend […]

Aljamain Sterling plots featherweight move following UFC 288 return maybe I defend the belt one time

Ahead of his incoming UFC 288 championship outing against former titleholder, Henry Cejudo this weekend, reigning bantamweight kingpin, Aljamain Sterling has his sights set on an eventual championship outing at the featherweight limit, in pursuit of a second Octagon crown.

Slated to headline UFC 288 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this weekend in a championship outing against former duel-weight champion, Cejudo, Sterling will attempt to become the first bantamweight titleholder to successfully defend the crown on three separate occasions.

Last time out, Uniondale native, Sterling co-headlined UFC 280 back in October of last year in Abu Dhabi, UAE, stopping former champion, T.J. Dillashaw with a second round slew of ground strikes.

Aljamain Sterling still plotting featherweight UFC move

And ahead of UFC 288 this weekend against Cejudo, Sterling has outlined his intentions to likely challenge a combination of champions, Alexander Volkanovski, or Yair Rodriguez at the featherweight limit in the future.

“I smash Henry [Cejudo],” Aljamain Sterling told Megan Olivi. “I smash [Sean] O’Malley. I go up to 145 [pounds], I fight [Alexander] Volkanovski or [Yair] Rodriguez and maybe I defend the belt one time and I’m done.” 

As for both Volkanovski and Rodriguez, the featherweight titleholders are slated to headline UFC 290 during International Fight Week in July of this summer, in a championship unification clash. 

Both sharing their predictions ahead of ‘The Garden State’ title affair, Sterling maintains that once he defeats Cejudo at UFC 288, the former two-weight champion and Olympic gold medalist will call time on his professional career again.

While on the other hand, Los Angeles-born challenger, Cejudo backs his style to comfortably dispatch Sterling within just three rounds come their UFC 288 headlining clash, further claiming he’s just back in the promotion to “rob the bank” against Sterling

Aljamain Sterling expects Henry Cejudo to retire again after UFC 288: ‘I think he disappears into darkness’

Aljamain Sterling expects Henry Cejudo to retire following UFC 288 he'll go back into the darknessAljamain Sterling plans to send Henry Cejudo back to retirement at UFC 288: ‘I think he disappears again’ Aljamain Sterling claims Henry Cejudo’s impending retirement snapping return at UFC 288 next weekend, won’t last necessarily long – planning to send the Olympic gold medalist back to the sidelines with a bantamweigh title retention in May. […]

Aljamain Sterling expects Henry Cejudo to retire following UFC 288 he'll go back into the darkness

Aljamain Sterling plans to send Henry Cejudo back to retirement at UFC 288: ‘I think he disappears again’

Aljamain Sterling claims Henry Cejudo’s impending retirement snapping return at UFC 288 next weekend, won’t last necessarily long – planning to send the Olympic gold medalist back to the sidelines with a bantamweigh title retention in May.

Headlining the promotion’s pay-per-view event to Newark, New Jersey, Sterling looks to become the first bantamweight champion in UFC history to rack up three consecutive successful title defense, taking on former champion and former flyweight gold holder, Cejudo at the Prudential Cetner.

Taking co-main event honors at UFC 280 back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sterling stopped common-foe, T.J. Dillashaw with a second round slew of ground strikes.

As for Cejudo, the Los Angeles-born challenger called time on his decorated mixed martial arts career back in 2020, following a successful bantamweight title defense against former gold holder, Dominick Cruz in Jacksonville, Florida.

Aljamain Sterling expects timely retirement from Henry Cejudo after UFC 288

Headlining in ‘The Garden State’ next month against Sterling, Cejudo has been touted to return to retirement if he proves unsuccessful in his quest for bantamweight gold as per the former.

“Henry (Cejudo) can say whatever he wants,” Aljamain Sterling told MMA Fighting during a recent interview. “I think I’ve shown that even if the world is against me, I’m going to fight back. I’ll chirp back and nothing is going to get inside my head and nothing’s going to deter me from doing and believing what I believe in.”

“I think [after UFC 288] Henry Cejudo disappears into the darkness again, going into the abyss depending on how bad he gets his ass whooped,” Aljamain Sterling explained. “That’s what I really do think.” 

Remaining supremely confident of clinching bantamweight gold for the second time during his Octagon tenure, Cejudo claimed he was “robbing the bank” in his return against Sterling next weekend in New Jersey.

Henry Cejudo predicts finish of Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288: ‘I’m just here to rob the bank’

Henry Cejudo predicts dominant finish of Aljamain Sterling UFC 288 rob the bankFormer two-weight champion, Henry Cejudo appears supremely confident of a victory over champion, Aljamain Sterling in their UFC 288 headliner next month – predicting a stoppage triumph before the championship rounds. Cejudo, a former undisputed bantamweight and flyweight titleholder, retired from mixed martial arts competition back in May 2020 following a successful title defense against […]

Henry Cejudo predicts dominant finish of Aljamain Sterling UFC 288 rob the bank

Former two-weight champion, Henry Cejudo appears supremely confident of a victory over champion, Aljamain Sterling in their UFC 288 headliner next month – predicting a stoppage triumph before the championship rounds.

Cejudo, a former undisputed bantamweight and flyweight titleholder, retired from mixed martial arts competition back in May 2020 following a successful title defense against fellow former gold holder, Dominick Cruz.

Henry Cejudo envisions dominant victory over Aljamain Sterling

Set to snap that three-year surprise retirement from the sport next weekend atop a UFC 288 pay-per-view event at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey – Cejudo expects to force the issue against champion, Sterling inside three rounds to reclaim bantamweight spoils.

“I see Aljamain Sterling – I see a damn Benjamin,” Henry Cejudo told ESPN during a recent interview. “I see T.J. Dillashaw, I see a damn Benjamin. “I’m just here to rob the bank and that’s a reality. That’s how I feel and that’s what I’m gonna do on May 6. because Aljamain’s just not at my level and I love it. As a matter of fact, UFC actually hired me as a hitman to take this dude out. Did the UFC really want to give me a title shot? ‘No, but Henry, you’re stylistically the best matchup and we want him out of here.’ I’m like, alright. Let me put on my gloves. I’m gonna go out and get that job done.”

“…Aljamain knows I’m the guy out of everybody on the whole roster, whether he wants to say he’s gonna put me out in two rounds or I don’t deserve it, I’m letting you babysit my belt,” Henry Cejudo explained. “He knows that I’m just the toughest matchup stylistically. I know he knows what I’m capable of doing. This fight doesn’t go past three rounds.” 

As for Uniondale native, Sterling, the Serra-Longo MMA staple has already chalked up successful bantamweight title defenses against former champions, Petr Yan, and the above-mentioned common-foe, Dillashaw since assuming the throne back in 2021. 

UFC star Henry Cejudo exposes Andrew Tate’s 75-9 kickboxing record: ‘It’s absolutely ridiculous’

Henry Cejudo exposes Andrew Tate kickboxing record it's absolutely ridiculous UFCHenry Cejudo exposes controversial influencer Andrew Tate’s professional kickboxing record. Last year, the world was inundated with videos and talk of Tate following a social media campaign that saw his climb to global notoriety. A large part of Tate’s persona is that he a former kickboxing world champion and would boast of his combat success. […]

Henry Cejudo exposes Andrew Tate kickboxing record it's absolutely ridiculous UFC

Henry Cejudo exposes controversial influencer Andrew Tate’s professional kickboxing record.

Last year, the world was inundated with videos and talk of Tate following a social media campaign that saw his climb to global notoriety. A large part of Tate’s persona is that he a former kickboxing world champion and would boast of his combat success. However, many who know the sport have called into question the true legitimacy of his 75-9 record.

Henry Cejudo calls out Andrew Tate’s kickboxing record

Former two-division UFC champion, Cejudo, has also branched out onto YouTube, using his expertise to break down fights/fighters, while also giving fans behind the scenes content. This time, Cejudo would break down fights of Tate’s, and ‘The Messenger’ did not hold back

“This is you, come on…” sighed Cejudo while reacting to Tate’s most recent fight. “This what boxing, this is what kickboxing typically tend to do, what they do is they pad your record like you wouldn’t believe. Okay, so he was 75-9 here, he shouldn’t be fighting a guy that’s 3-2, or 2-3, it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

“So, this fight is against Cosmic Lingurar, for a guy who’s 76-9 I mean he’s going up against a guy that’s making his debut.” Cejudo continued. “This is what I’m saying, you fans, you people following guys who you think are good fighters.”

Henry Cejudo breaking down Andrew Tate’s fights

Cejudo is set to challenge reigning bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling, on June 6 in the headling fight of UFC 288. It will mark three years, almost to the day, since we have seen the former Olympic gold medallist compete inside the Octagon.

Last time we saw Cjeudo compete, he would be the first person to KO/TKO Dominick Cruz for the vacant 135lb title.

Do you think Henry Cejudo is right about Andrew Tate?