UFC finalizing Aljamain Sterling-Henry Cejudo title combat

The UFC is finalizing a bantamweight title combat between Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo, each fighters introduced on social media.

Contracts haven’t been signed, however the 135-pound title combat is being focused for May 6. The UFC has not formally introduced an occasion on that date, however it’s anticipated to be a UFC 288 pay-per-view at a location to be decided.

“I’m fighting May 6 against Henry Cejudo and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Sterling mentioned on his “Weekly Scrap” podcast.

The UFC has been on this matchup for months, since Sterling (22-3) defended his title for the primary time towards former champion TJ Dillashaw in October. The combat probably would have occurred sooner, doubtlessly subsequent month, however Sterling has been rehabbing a lingering harm to his bicep.

Fighting out of Cortland, New York, Sterling is on an eight-fight profitable streak. One of these victories got here beneath some controversy, when he gained the title over Petr Yan by disqualification in 2021. Since then, Sterling has legitimized his title reign, defeating Yan in a rematch earlier than submitting Dillashaw.

Cejudo (16-2) is without doubt one of the most achieved fighters in fight sports activities historical past. The 36-year-old is an Olympic gold-medal wrestler and two-weight UFC champion. He grew to become the UFC’s flyweight champion in 2018 and its bantamweight champ in 2019. He defended the bantamweight title as soon as earlier than retiring from the game in 2020.

Even throughout his absence, many anticipated Cejudo would ultimately return. He has expressed a need to ultimately transfer up once more in weight in an try and turn into the UFC’s first three-weight champ.