SI’s MMA Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes runs every Monday.
Aljamain Sterling is for real.
He continued his reign as bantamweight champion this past Saturday at UFC 288, defeating Henry Cejudo by split decision. Following the fight, a defeated Cejudo spoke highly of Sterling, who has now set the record for most title defenses—three—during a single bantamweight title reign.
“He beat the ‘Triple C,’” says Cejudo. “Put him at number one [among all bantamweights]. Look at the people he’s already beat.”
The fight was incredibly close, with neither side holding an overwhelmingly definitive edge. It did appear Sterling seized control of three of the five rounds, but the round in question was the fifth.
#UFC288 Official Scorecard: Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) vs Henry Cejudo 👇
— UFC News (@UFCNews) May 7, 2023
All Tonight’s Scorecards➡️: https://t.co/NwuseKRMCj pic.twitter.com/qcrfi8JVlv
Cejudo (16–3) delivered a late-round takedown in the fifth, certainly an advantage as both men were looking to end the fight with one strong moment. Two of the three judges scored the round 10–9, in Cejudo’s favor, with the lone dissenting scorecard from judge Derek Cleary favoring the round by the same score in Sterling’s favor. Cleary also scored Cejudo’s fight against Joseph Benavidez in 2016, which was his last loss up until Saturday.
“This feels more like the Benavidez fight,” says Cejudo. “I lost, but I heard people say, ‘You won.’ I feel that feeling again. But the belt’s not around my waist.”
The victory marks the signature win of Sterling’s career. Even though Cejudo had been retired for three years, the Olympic gold medalist still represented an extreme threat in the cage, and Sterling was every bit his equal, if not better, in wrestling.
“I took on a legend,” says Sterling. “It was a high-level, physical chess match.”
For Sterling, there is no uncertainty surrounding his future. The path is clear, with an all-but-confirmed Fight Night headline bout against Sean O’Malley on August 19 in Boston, then a move to featherweight, where he can challenge reigning champ Alexander Volkanovski.
“I plan on fighting O’Malley, then going up and chasing Volkanovski, so I’m taking Henry’s blueprint,” says Sterling. “I just need to get one more, and that’s it for 135. Fighting at 135, the weight cut isn’t easy. 145 could be a breath of fresh life for me. It could make it easier for me to fight more frequently.”
Cejudo’s future in the sport is a question mark. He could retire, this time permanently, and coach full time. Or he could remain active—there is a whole slew of people looking to make their name against Cejudo, including friend turned foe Brandon Moreno.
“My thing was [to] beat Aljo, fight O’Malley, then go after Volkanovski,” says Cejudo. “I had a close split decision with Ajo. What I had planned with Volkanovski, f---. Losing a split decision that a lot of people thought I won, I don’t know. I’m a little confused, and I’m a little pissed.
“I’ve been doing this from the age of 11 to 33 at the highest level. I’m out here to make history. If I can’t make history, I’m not doing this s---. My coach was saying, ‘You won! You won!’ But I didn’t. The belt’s not around my waist.”
The first round against Sterling is going to gnaw away at Cejudo, an intense competitor. A window existed for Cejudo to take control and win the round, but it was Sterling who seized that opportunity.
“I let that first round slip away,” says Cejudo. “I relaxed against the cage. I was trying to catch a breather, and he ended up stealing it. That bothered me. That’s what I do against people.”
Despite all the positives, including a superb comeback at the age of 36, Cejudo could focus only on the fact that he lost.
“It’s hard,” says Cejudo. “I know there’s a better version of me.”
Belal Muhammad dominates Gilbert Burns at UFC 288
Muhammad made a statement at UFC 288, defeating Gilbert Burns in a bout that decided the next challenger for whomever emerges from the eventual Leon Edwards–Colby Covington welterweight title bout.
This was not pretty. Burns (22–6) injured his left shoulder during the fight, which all but removed his explosiveness. But Muhammad (23–3, 1 NC) could not deliver a finish, and the lack of action in the fight, though tense, left the crowd unsatisfied.
Muhammad was not at full strength, either. He was bothered by a swollen ankle—yet none of that matters. It goes down as a victory for Muhammad, who stuck to a disciplined, technical game plan as he kicked away at Burns.
Now that he has a guaranteed shot, Muhammad can prepare for the fight of his life. He will enter as the underdog to either Edwards or Covington.
“I’m hungry,” Muhammad said at the post-288 press conference. “You don’t know how hungry I am to win this gold. I took this fight on three weeks’ notice. Give me eight weeks’ notice. Give me 12 weeks’ notice. You’re going to deal with the best version of me.”
Demetrious Johnson part of ONE Championship’s future plans
ONE Championship delivered a spectacular card on Friday with ONE Fight Night 10.
Headlined by Johnson further carving his name into MMA history by defeating Adriano Moraes in their bantamweight title trilogy bout, the night’s highlight reel also included a dominating return from Sage Northcutt and more breathtaking martial arts from Rodtang.
Unfortunately for ONE, the night did not come without a blemish. Roberto Soldić, a highly prized free agent, was knocked out by Zebaztian Kadestam, putting any plans for Soldić to challenge the welterweight title on ice. Otherwise, it was an outstanding American debut for ONE, and there is plenty of optimism and intrigue for their return card in the U.S.
ONE’s future includes Johnson. Following the hard-fought victory, Kairat Akhmetov entered the cage, indicating he is Johnson’s next challenger for the 135-pound title. Unlike Johnson, Akhmetov is not a well-known name. As ONE continues to grow in the U.S., it needs Johnson to be an active part of the roster. The right amount of money will certainly stave off any retirement plans, and it would be extremely compelling to watch Johnson defend the title against Akhmetov—especially if it happens on the return card in the U.S.
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
