The waiting comes to an end tonight at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. UFC 288 features a blockbuster bantamweight main event. Henry “The Messenger” Cejudo takes on champion Aljamain “Funk Master” Sterling. This will be Sterling’s third title defense. The 16-2 Cejudo has “unretired” himself to come back to try to take the strap from the 22-3 Sterling. They both have heard the announcer say, “and new bantamweight champion.” Tonight’s fight can go either way, but someone is leaving with the belt.
This fight will be exciting, to say the least. Cejudo won the 2006 Olympic Gold Medal in wrestling. Let’s not forget that he was also flyweight and bantamweight champion. Cejudo retired with the bantamweight strap and now wants it back. Sterling is coming off a round two TKO victory over TJ Dillashaw and is on an eight-fight winning streak. This also includes wins over Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen. His last fights at the top of the division prove he is a true champion at the bantamweight level.
He’s Got the Power
Cejudo is coming back because he believes he has the tools take to regain the bantamweight belt. He thinks this will be an easy task to grab the strap from Sterling’s waist. The oddsmakers seem to agree with Henry, making him a -120 favorite. The fans do not believe Sterling has the wrestling and the striking to take on the challenger. Cejudo was unstoppable as the champion and is more well-rounded. He has the knockout power. He has fantastic wrestling skills and a great take-down defense. Sterling lacks that striking ability and Cejudo should be able to take advantage of that. Expect Cejudo to find the holes and demonstrate his superior skills that the underdog lacks. If it all goes according to plan, you will hear “and new bantamweight champion,” Henry Cejudo, at the end of tonight.
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