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UFC 288 LIVE: Cejudo vs Sterling updates and results

Re-live updates as Cejudo returned to challenge Sterling after three years away

Alex Pattle
Combat Sports Correspondent
Tuesday 09 May 2023 10:36 BST
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Former UFC champion shows off broken tooth after bare-knuckle match

Aljamain Sterling retained the UFC bantamweight title against Henry Cejudo at UFC 288, as the latter failed to regain the belt after three years away.

Cejudo retired from MMA in 2020, moments after retaining the title, which he previously held alongside the flyweight belt. Sterling, 33, went on to win the gold in 2021 and retained it twice thereafter, and the Jamaican-American put it on the line again in the main event of UFC 288.

American Cejudo, an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, emerged from retirement in an attempt to reclaim the bantamweight strap, and a future shot at the featherweight title was also on the 36-year-old’s radar.

However, Cejudo fell at the first hurdle, losing a split decision to Sterling after five competitive rounds in New Jersey.

Re-live updates below. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

Read our main-event report here:

Aljamain Sterling retains title against returning Henry Cejudo at UFC 288

Cejudo, in his first fight in three years, lost a split decision in his bid to regain the bantamweight belt

Alex Pattle7 May 2023 07:02

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Alex Pattle7 May 2023 06:47

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

Sean O’Malley (centre) is next for bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling
Sean O’Malley (centre) is next for bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (Getty Images)
Alex Pattle7 May 2023 06:46

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

Henry Cejudo (right) reacts to his split-decision loss to Aljamain Sterling
Henry Cejudo (right) reacts to his split-decision loss to Aljamain Sterling (Getty Images)
Alex Pattle7 May 2023 06:45

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

Here’s the moment the decision was announced:

Alex Pattle7 May 2023 06:32

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

Alex Pattle7 May 2023 06:31

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

Alex Pattle7 May 2023 06:30

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

O’Malley and Dvalishvili butted heads because the latter took “Suga Sean”’s jacket!

Alex Pattle7 May 2023 06:30

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

Cejudo admits that he doesn’t know where this loss leaves him, or whether he’ll fight in the UFC again.

Alex Pattle7 May 2023 06:25

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili, who is Sterling’s training partner and the UFC’s No 1-ranked bantamweight, exchange heated words. They’re separated by security.

Alex Pattle7 May 2023 06:20

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