UFC 288: Aljamain Sterling vs Henry Cejudo 5/6/23 – Henry Cejudo will make his Octagon return almost three years after his last fight, looking to recapture his UFC Bantamweight crown by defeating Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288’s main event. Henry Cejudo is currently the undisputed favorite, with all UFC betting picks supporting him.
Aljamain Sterling vs Henry Cejudo
Date & Time: Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 10:00 PM ET
Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA
TV: ESPN+
UFC 288: Aljamain Sterling vs Henry Cejudo 5/6/23 Betting Odds
Sterling
Moneyline: -103
Cejudo
Moneyline: -117
Aljamain Sterling vs Henry Cejudo Analysis
Aljamain “Funk Master” Sterling will look to add one more win to his 22-3-0 career record this Saturday at 5’7″ he weighs 135 lbs and stands 5’7″. Aljamain Sterling has an orthodox fighter’s wingspan of 71″ and currently lands 4.70 significant strikes per minute. Sterling has scored on 51% of his significant strikes attempted. “Funk Master” averages 2.18 significant strikes per minute when it comes to his defense in the Octagon. Sterling also avoids 61% of significant strikes his opponents throw his way. Aljamain Sterling defeated TJ Dillashaw via a punch to the head in Round 2, earning a victory via submission. Dillashaw completed this contest by landing 13 out of 31 total strikes he threw, while Sterling ended up landing 148 of 181 total strikes thrown during that evening’s event. Dillashaw managed to land eight of 26 significant strikes, giving him a 30% success rate in that category. He made three significant hits to the head out of 20 attempts, scoring 77% at 72 out of 93 significant hits. He scored 56 out of 75 significant strikes accurately; 100% by Dillashaw and 23% by Sterling were connected from distance.
Henry “Triple C” Cejudo stands 5’4″ and weighs in at 135 lbs, currently boasting an orthodox fighting record of 16-2-0. Henry Cejudo stands 36-years old with an arm span of 64″ when talking about striking output per minute he averages 3.92 significant strikes per min. Cejudo has hit on 45% of his significant strikes attempted so far. “Triple C” allows 2.77 significant strikes per minute when it comes to Octagon defense. Cejudo manages to prevent more than 65% of strikes directed at him. Henry Cejudo won his final fight by landing a knee to Dominick Cruz’s head during round 2. Cruz connected on 93% of his significant strikes he attempted at distance while Cejudo made 83%. Cejudo succeeded in hitting 63% of his attempts with significant strikes by connecting on 53 of 83 attempts. Cejudo successfully connected on 24 of 50 significant head shots aimed at him during this contest, while Cruz connected on 33 out of 81 significant strikes overall. Under his direction, 15 out of 58 significant strikes struck directly at his head. Cruz connected on 33% of his total strikes while Cejudo connected on 58%.
Aljamain Sterling may not be one of the more talented wrestlers; his opponents typically throw themselves onto the mat 1.98 times per three rounds. Sterling has succeeded in taking down 24% of his opponents with his attempts and successfully blocked 41% of all attempted takedowns against him. Cejudo has completed takedowns on 33% of his attempts and successfully blocked 93% of any attempts against him. Sterling stands out as the more skilled practitioner when it comes to submission attempts, attempting 0.9 finishes every 15 minutes while Cejudo only attempts 0.2 per three rounds.
Aljamain Sterling vs Henry Cejudo Stats
| Sterling | Cejudo | |
| Wins/Losses/Draws | 22-3-0 | 16-2-0 |
| Average Fight Time | 12:56 | 12:23 |
| Height | 5′ 7″ | 5′ 4″ |
| Weight | 135 lbs. | 135 lbs. |
| Reach | 71″ | 64″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Strikes Landed per Min. | 4.70 | 3.92 |
| Striking Accuracy | 51% | 45% |
| Strikes Absorbed per Min. | 2.18 | 2.77 |
| Defense | 61% | 65% |
| Takedowns Average/15 min. | 1.98 | 2.12 |
| Takedown Accuracy | 24% | 33% |
| Takedown Defense | 41% | 93% |
| Submission Average/15 min. | 0.9 | 0.2 |
Aljamain Sterling vs Henry Cejudo Free Pick
Henry Cejudo outshines Aljamain Sterling in nearly every way as per the UFC betting trends. The only drawback being his prolonged absence from competition for three years. But this doesn’t mean he hasn’t been training during that period – knowing Cejudo as much as we do, we know for certain he’s been dedicating significant effort towards planning his comeback fights.
Free Pick: Henry Cejudo -117
