Odds makers have the betting line close in a huge title fight for the bantamweight belt – but Henry Cejudo should be the clear favorite to win.
For both, many would argue that their opponent will be their toughest by far to date.
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Aljamain Sterling has probably been the best fighter in the division.
But it hasn’t come without controversy and unfortunate events when you take a look at his recent title fights.
The first one was against then-champion Petr Yan in June 2020.
While it wasn’t his fault, Sterling couldn’t continue after absorbing an illegal knee to the head, which gave him the title due to disqualification.
If there was a fifth round, that would have likely decided the bantamweight championship given how close the fight was.
But Yan did get his rematch against Sterling two years later – and that time he lost due to a controversial split decision.
Many thought that Yan won the fight including UFC President Dana White.
“I thought that the judges blew that one,” White said in a press conference after UFC 273.
His next fight was against T.J. Dillashaw. Although Sterling dominated it, Dillashaw had a dislocated shoulder.
While Sterling has two belt defenses at 135 and has been the best fighter in the division, he will have a huge test against Cejudo tonight.
Cejudo hasn’t fought in three years – but he was a dominant champion.
In fact, he was a double champion – earning both flyweight and bantamweight belts.
And his last three victories have been all by knockout, leaving the judges out of the equation.
So based on the accolades and how Cejudo has won his fights – the 36-year-old should be the clear favorite going into this one.
However, as things stand FanDuel Sportsbook is only giving Cejudo a slight edge at -116 to Sterling’s -102.
DraftKings has Sterling at +100 compared to Cejudo at -120. So it’s nearly a toss-up based on the odds.
This should be a competitive fight between a UFC legend and the best fighter in bantamweight.
A win by Sterling by unanimous decision, knockout, or submission would silence the critics.
UFC 288 will begin tonight at 10 pm EST. The headliner between Sterling and Cejudo should begin around midnight.
