Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is leaning towards Henry Cejudo dethroning Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288.
Cejudo (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) challenges bantamweight champion Sterling (22-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) in Saturday’s main event at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.
Cejudo returns from a three-year layoff. But prior to retiring, the former UFC dual-champion was coming off title wins over Demetrious Johnson, T.J. Dillashaw, Marlon Moraes, and Dominick Cruz. Volkanovski acknowledges that Sterling is a dangerous grappler, but thinks Cejudo has a better skillset overall.
“Henry Cejudo obviously has a lot more tools than Aljamain, especially on the feet,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “I think he’s going to be a lot more dangerous on the feet. He can finish Aljamain, got good distance control, he understands distance, he can use all his tools on the feet as well. Aljamain’s gotta really want to backpack him like he always does. Against an Olympic wrestler it’s going to be hard, but can he get to the back? If he finds himself on Henry Cejudo’s back, that’s a different story. All that wrestling and everything goes out the window.
“It’s a totally different ball game so in them scrambles if he’s able to wrap up the back that could be a big problem for Henry Cejudo. So, I’m not counting out Aljamain. I think Aljamain can definitely hang in there with him, with the scrambles and that, and maybe threaten him with back control or something like that. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens there. Again, on the feet, I’m all Henry Cejudo I think. But I believe his best bet is if Henry shoots on him and then maybe catching the neck or jump onto the back.”
Cejudo has spent his time off coaching the likes of heavyweight champ Jon Jones and former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo, as well as breaking down fights as an analyst. Based off his skills and knowledge of the game, Volkanovski picks Cejudo to beat Sterling.
“I’m leaning towards Henry Cejudo,” Volkanovski added. “They’re even so best bet I’ll have to say is Henry Cejudo. He’s got more tools to win it. He understands the game, so I think he’ll be preparing well. There are big threats that Aljamain has, but he’s the type of fighter who’ll study, put themselves in those positions and really work on things that need to be worked on.”
Both Cejudo and Sterling mentioned their intention of eventually moving up to featherweight to challenge Volkanovski, and “The Great” wouldn’t be surprised one bit if he heard his name in the victor’s post-fight speech.
“This weekend, I’ve got a close eye on the main event because I guarantee you Aljamain or Cejudo, whoever wins, they’re calling me out,” Volkanovski said. “I can bet my balls on it. They’re calling me out.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 288.
