BREAKING: Dana White finally confirms Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo for UFC 288, names co-main event and other fights
Dana White has finally confirmed the highly anticipated bout between Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo for the bantamweight title at UFC 288 on May 6. 'Funk Master' will defend his belt against the former two-division champion at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Sterling is coming off a second-round knockout against former champion T.J Dillashaw at UFC 280. While 'Funk Master' successfully defended his belt, many were disappointed about Dillashaw's injury hampering his performance. However, the 33-year-old New Yorker will now face a challenging test ahead as he welcomes 'Triple C' back to the octagon.
Cejudo is considered one of the best fighters to step inside the cage, and it's unsurprising to see him in a championship bout after three years on the sidelines. 'Triple C' announced his retirement after his last title defense against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 but will now make his long-awaited comeback to action.
Dana White also announced some other exciting fights that will go down in about two months from now. The co-main event features former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira going head-to-head against the ever-dangerous Beneil Dariush, who's on an eight-fight win streak.
Elsewhere on the card, Bryce Mitchell will face Jonathan Pearce in a featherweight bout. Kron Gracie will return against Charles Jourdain after losing to Cub Swanson in October 2019.
UFC 288: When Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo clashed backstage at UFC 285
There is no love lost between bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and title challenger Henry Cejudo. The two men have fired nasty shots at each other ever since their fight was in the works, with their war of words intensifying after their initial UFC 287 date was postponed due to Sterling's injury.
Things got heated when the two ran into each other backstage at UFC 285. Both fighters attended the event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and were seen exchanging verbal shots before security stepped in to separate them.
In a video tweeted by ESPN MMA, Henry Cejudo can be heard saying:
“May 6, I’m going to bury your a**, May 6, I’m going to bury your corny a**. Shut up, get out of here.”
To which Aljamain Sterling responded:
“I’m going to make you my little b****.”
Things are heating up between Cejudo and Sterling backstage at #UFC285 🔥 🔊 https://t.co/Nr3hAX6XiR
Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo will get a chance to walk the walk on May 6 at UFC 288 when they meet in the octagon.
Sean O'Malley is currently occupying the No.1 in the division rankings, thanks to his significant, yet controversial, decision victory over Petr Yan. 'Sugar' will be expected to fill in and fight for the title should the opportunity arise.