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UFC 288: Sterling vs Cejudo Betting Tips & Predictions

By Chris Horton

05 May 2023

Chris Horton 05 May 2023

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Aljamain Sterling vs Henry Cejudo betting preview, odds and stats
Can Sterling defeat Cejudo at UFC 288?
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Get the latest betting tips and expert insight as Aljamain Sterling takes on Henry Cejudo in UFC 288 in New Jersey.

UFC 288 - The Details

Event - UFC 288

Date - May 7, 2023

Venue - Prudential Center (New Jersey, USA)

Aljamain Sterling vs Henry Cejudo - Tale of the Tape

Aljamain (Funk Master' Sterling	Stat	Henry 'Triple C' Cejudo
33	Age	36
170cm	Height	163 cm
61kg	Weight	61kg
14-3	UFC Record	10-2
22-3	Overall MMA Record	16-2
51%	Striking Accuracy	45%
Champion	UFC Ranking	Unranked

Aljamain Sterling is looking to defend his bantamweight title for a third time after securing the belt following Petr Yan's disqualification for the use of an illegal knee when they met at UFC 259.

Yan was then dispatched in a rematch as Sterling won by decision at UFC 273 before he then beat T.J Dillashaw by TKO at UFC 280.

Meanwhile, Henry Cejudo returns to action for the first time since defending his bantamweight title at UFC 249 in 2020 against Dominick Cruz.

Heading into their fight, Sterling is the slight underdog at 1.980*, while Cejudo is 1.884*. Clearly, there is not too much between them according to the odds, although it is perhaps telling that despite looking to defend his title again, Sterling is the underdog.

Aljamain Sterling vs Henry Cejudo: Fighting Styles

Sterling is a brilliant grappler and is also a strong wrestler too, with this helping him to secure submissions. Completely at home on the canvas, Sterling is also very good when attacking an opponent's back.

However, as far as weaknesses go, Sterling is not perfect when it comes to striking, and has only won three fights via knockout.

On the other side of the ring, Cejudo is an excellent wrestler, displayed through his winning the gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing as he became the youngest American to do so.

Cejudo has not won a single fight via submission, and he seems more at home grinding down his opponent and winning by decision. Winning eight fights via knockout, Cejudo is superior to Sterling in his stand-up skills.

We predict that Sterling should match Cejudo in wrestling ability, meaning this one could be a tight clash. We would recommend backing over 4.5 rounds in this one.