Aljamain Sterling hasn't been in the Yahoo Sports pound-for-pound list despite holding the bantamweight title for more than two years. But after Sterling defeated Henry Cejudo on Saturday at UFC 288 via split decision, it's high time to change that.
Sterling is on an amazing run, having won his last nine and 11 of his last 12. In that span, he’s had five wins over current or former UFC champions and earned the praise of Cejudo.Sterling had been in the 11-15 range on the Yahoo Sports rankings of the world’s best mixed martial artists for the last few years, but it’s time he enters the Top 10. He’s going to do that, at No. 7.
Starting with Johnson, he was once No. 1 on this list. He dropped his UFC flyweight title to Cejudo by split decision on Aug. 4, 2018 but has since gone 5-1 and become ONE Championship's flyweight champion . He was knocked out by Adriano Moraes on April 7, 2021, but came back to defeat Moraes twice,Cejudo was one of the three best pound-for-pound fighters in the world when he retired in the Octagon after stopping Dominick Cruz on May 9, 2020, in Jacksonville, Florida.
He left open the possibility that he’d fight again, and so the question is, if he did, would he look better than he did against Sterling? The answer has to be a yes. Sitting on the sidelines for three years has to take something out of a fighter, and then coming back against an elite — and highly awkward — opponent like Sterling is difficult.
To accommodate Cejudo’s entrance, I have to drop two fighters. One is an easy choice. No. 9 Jiri Prochazka hasn’t fought in 11 months and will be dropped from the rankings next month because of inactivity. He has nothing scheduled as he recovers from shoulder surgery, so it’s not hard to drop him now.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
UFC 288 live tracker: Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo updates, highlights, analysisSaturday marks a unique milestone for UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. He'll face former champion Henry Cejudo at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, in the main event of UFC 288. It will be his first main event in 19 bouts in the UFC.
Consulte Mais informação »
Aljamain Sterling earns tight split decision over Henry Cejudo to retain UFC titleAljamain Sterling eked out a tight split decision victory over former two-division champion Henry Cejudo at UFC 288 in Newark.
Consulte Mais informação »
UFC 288: Aljamain Sterling earns biggest win of his career with split decision over Henry CejudoThe old saying goes, 'He who laughs last, laughs best,' and there is little doubt that Aljamain Sterling is having a good laugh now.
Consulte Mais informação »
Aljamain Sterling’s win at UFC 288 may send Henry Cejudo back to retirementMoments after winning his ninth straight bout and surviving his latest 135-pound championship title defense in the main event of UFC 288, Sterling’s fight night was only heating up.
Consulte Mais informação »
UFC 288: Aljamain Sterling, Henry Cejudo headed in opposite directions after close title fightHenry Cejudo said he tried to climb Mount Everest, and took little solace that he nearly reached the summit. The 2008 Olympic gold medalist ended a three-year retirement from the UFC with a near-miss. He dropped a split decision to bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling in the main event Saturday of UFC 288 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Consulte Mais informação »