Aljamain Sterling Retains UFC Bantamweight Title After Split Decision Win

Hard-Fought Victory Extends Sterling's Reign

UFC 288 witnessed a thrilling main event clash as reigning bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling successfully defended his title against the return of former two-division champ Henry Cejudo. The highly-anticipated bout went the distance, with Sterling ultimately securing a narrow split decision victory.

The fight was a back-and-forth affair, with both fighters showcasing their skills. Cejudo, known for his Olympic-level wrestling credentials, pushed the pace early on, attempting to take Sterling down. However, Sterling's grappling prowess proved too difficult to overcome, and he was able to fend off Cejudo's advances.

Sterling Dominates on the Ground

As the fight wore on, Sterling began to assert his dominance on the ground. He repeatedly took Cejudo down and controlled him with his signature grappling techniques. Cejudo showed resilience by managing to escape some of Sterling's holds, but the champion's relentless pressure eventually took its toll.

Cejudo Remains a Threat

Despite Sterling's dominance on the ground, Cejudo remained a constant threat on the feet. His lightning-fast striking and powerful knees kept Sterling at bay, and he managed to land some significant shots as the fight progressed. However, Sterling's superior wrestling and ability to control the pace ultimately proved to be the difference.

In the end, the judges awarded Sterling a split decision victory, scoring the fight 48-47, 47-48, 48-47 in his favor. With this win, Sterling extends his title reign and solidifies his position as one of the top bantamweights in the UFC.

Following his victory, Sterling called out Sean O'Malley as his next potential opponent. The UFC has yet to officially announce the matchup, but fans are eagerly anticipating another exciting title clash in the bantamweight division.