Aljamain Sterling Edges Out Henry Cejudo In A Close Split Decision

Sterling Retains Title, Calls Out O'Malley

Aljamain Sterling edges out Henry Cejudo in a close split decision

Muhammad Defeats Burns in Dominant Performance

In a thrilling main event, Aljamain Sterling defended his bantamweight title against Henry Cejudo in a closely contested split decision. The judges' scorecards read 47-48, 48-47, and 48-47 in favor of Sterling.

The fight was a back-and-forth affair, with both fighters landing significant strikes. Cejudo, a former two-division champion, showed impressive wrestling skills, but Sterling managed to neutralize his takedown attempts.

In the end, Sterling's superior cardio and grappling prowess proved to be the deciding factors. He outlasted Cejudo in the championship rounds, securing the victory and retaining his title.

Following the fight, Sterling called out Sean O'Malley, who was present at the event. The champion expressed his desire to defend his belt against the rising star. O'Malley, known for his flashy striking and knockout power, accepted the challenge and set the stage for a potential future title bout.

In the co-main event, Belal Muhammad dominated Gilbert Burns in a one-sided affair. Muhammad controlled the fight from start to finish, landing heavy strikes and securing multiple takedowns. The judges awarded Muhammad a unanimous decision victory, solidifying his status as a top contender in the welterweight division.

UFC 288 proved to be a night of thrilling fights and unexpected results. Sterling's victory sets up intriguing possibilities for the bantamweight division, while Muhammad's performance further cements his place among the UFC's elite.