UFC 288 LIVE: Cejudo vs Sterling updates and results
Re-live updates as Cejudo returned to challenge Sterling after three years away
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 - Jessica Andrade vs Yan Xiaonan
Round 1
Both fighters stand orthodox. Andrade is really loading up on her shots, winging hooks.
She’s being made to pay for it, though, with Yan picking more precise punches.
And down goes Andrade after a right hook!!
The referee does not hesitate to wave it off!! A career-defining win for Yan!
UFC 288 LIVE - Jessica Andrade vs Yan Xiaonan
Yan is out first for this women’s strawweight bout, before former champion Andrade makes the walk.
UFC 288 LIVE - Jessica Andrade vs Yan Xiaonan
Jessica Andrade vs Yan Xiaonan is up next!
UFC 288 LIVE - Movsar Evloev vs Diego Lopes
Movsar Evloev def. Diego Lopes via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).
UFC 288 LIVE - Movsar Evloev vs Diego Lopes
Round 3
Evloev is grappling Lopes against the fence and seemingly in control, until Lopes locks in a Kimura after some subtle misdirects!
He gets Evloev to the mat with it, and it seems to be locked in deep, but Evloev somehow rolls through to relieve the pressure!
Lopes tries for a leg lock in the final seconds, and he has it... but Evloev survives to the buzzer!
UFC 288 LIVE - Movsar Evloev vs Diego Lopes
Round 3
Hard one-two by Lopes, who then backs up Evloev with a flurry.
Now Evloev comes forward, however, and starts to find his rhythm.
He takes down Lopes and launches some precise ground and pound.
UFC 288 LIVE - Movsar Evloev vs Diego Lopes
Round 2
Evloev presses forward. He misses with a spinning back kick.
Now he tags Lopes with a clean right cross, before securing a takedown and firing off shots in Lopes’s guard.
UFC 288 LIVE - Movsar Evloev vs Diego Lopes
Round 1
Both men trade shots on the mat, before Lopes is able to lock in an armbar!
Evloev is able to survive, though, and he’s back into Lopes’s guard!
What a fight so far.
UFC 288 LIVE - Movsar Evloev vs Diego Lopes
Round 1
A wild exchange to start this one! Lopes stuns Evloev, who responds by taking down the UFC debutant.
Lopes, in turn, tries for a leg lock, but Evloev remains calm and turns into guard.
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