It looks like Ali Abdelaziz was telling the truth after all. Well, mostly.
Aljo’s Big Announcement
While it’s not the money fight he desired, UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling will settle for Henry Cejudo in his third consecutive title defense. However, according to Sterling, the fight is not completely a ‘done deal’ yet like Cejudo’s manager claimed it to be.
Nevertheless, Sterling would confirm that he’d be fighting Cejudo next along with when the matchup would take place.
“I’m announcing that I am going to fight Henry next,” Sterling said on his YouTube channel. “We are targeting March. Ali [Abdelaziz], brother, it’s done but it’s still not done until there’s ink on the paper but it’s done. But it’s still kind of not done but this is the fight that’s going to happen next. This fight is going to happen.
“You guys saw the face off with myself and Henry Cejudo. I have no problem fighting Henry. Never ducked anybody a day in my life. The UFC gives me the toughest competition and I always step up to the plate and I always win, except for that one time when I got sent to Neptune against Marlon Moraes,” Sterling joked. “For the most part, I typically win.”
Of course, Cejudo wasn’t the fight that was on the top of Sterling’s Christmas wish-list. Instead, ‘Funkmaster’ really funked with the idea of fighting #1 contender Sean O’Malley for all the marbles. And by marbles, we mean money.
Sterling Admits He Likes The Cejudo Fight
Sterling didn’t think much people would care to see him fight the formerly retired ‘Triple C’, but now that the contract is almost inked all the way, the UFC Champion has changed his tune when it comes to the legacy fight.
“I like the matchup. I think it’s going to be a fun fight for the fans,” Sterling continued. I think on paper, it will be more competitive. Though I think skill wise I think [Sean] O’Malley possesses more of a threat of a fight-ending KO, if that makes sense. Henry can win the fight but I don’t think he wins by finish.
“I just can’t see myself losing to Henry by finish. That’s always possible but I just don’t see how Henry can find a shot that can put me out unless I ran face first into his knee like I did against Marlon Moraes, which knock on wood, I don’t think that’s going to happen again.”
While Aljamain Sterling doesn’t see Henry Cejudo being able to stop him, the former two-division champion has ended his last three fights inside the distance against the likes of Dominick Cruz, Marlon Moraes and TJ Dillashaw before retiring in 2020.
