UFC 288 LIVE: Cejudo vs Sterling updates and results

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

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

• Aljamain Sterling retained bantamweight belt with split decision over Henry Cejudo
• Cejudo emerged from retirement to compete at UFC 288, with future now unclear
• Sean O’Malley is next for Sterling and squared off with champion on Saturday
• Belal Muhammad outpointed injured Gilbert Burns in co-main event
• Muhammad will likely challenge for welterweight title next time out

[7 May 2023 07:02 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

Read our main-event report here:

[7 May 2023 06:47 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

[7 May 2023 06:46 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

Sean O’Malley (centre) is next for bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (Getty Images)

[7 May 2023 06:45 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

Henry Cejudo (right) reacts to his split-decision loss to Aljamain Sterling (Getty Images)

[7 May 2023 06:32 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

Here’s the moment the decision was announced:

[7 May 2023 06:31 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

[7 May 2023 06:30 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

[7 May 2023 06:30 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 288 LIVE - Sterling vs Cejudo

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

[7 May 2023 06:25 · Alex Pattle]

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.

[7 May 2023 06:20 · Alex Pattle]

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.