UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski weighed in on the upcoming match between Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo.
Former UFC two-division champion Henry Cejudo has been out of action since taking on Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 in May 2020. Following a second-round finish of Cruz, Cejudo announced his retirement. However, he did not shut the door on a potential return as he continued teasing the possibility of coming back for more fights given the pay matched his expectations.
Nearly three years on, Cejudo will finally make his comeback against reigning bantamweight champ Sterling this weekend.
Alex Volkanovski breaks down Aljamain Sterling vs Henry Cejudo
In a recent YouTube video, Alex Volkanovski shared his analysis of the upcoming title fight between Sterling and Cejudo.
“Henry Cejudo obviously has a lot more tools than Aljamain, especially on the feet,” said Volkanovski. “I think he’s going to be a lot more dangerous on the feet. He can finish Aljamain, got good distance control, he understands distance, he can use all his tools on the feet as well. Aljamain’s gotta really want to backpack him like he always does. Against an Olympic wrestler it’s going to be hard but can he get to the back? If he finds himself on Henry Cejudo’s back, that’s a different story.
“All that wrestling and everything goes out the window. It’s a totally different ball game so in them scrambles if he’s able to wrap up the back that could be a big problem for Henry Cejudo. So, I’m not counting out Aljamain and I think Aljamain can definitely hang in there with him in the scrambles and that and maybe threaten him with back control or something like that.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what happens there. Again, on the feet, I’m all Henry Cejudo but I believe Aljo’s best bet is if Henry shoots on him and then maybe catch his neck or jump on the back.”
Volkanovski backed Cejudo & predicted a ‘champ-champ’ callout
‘The Great’ sided with Cejudo to come out on top of the contest. He also believes that the winner of the bout will call him out for a ‘champ-champ’ fight.
“I’m leaning towards Henry Cejudo. They’re even so the best bet is Cejudo. He’s got more tools to win it. He understands the game, will prepare well. There are big threats that Aljamain has but he’s the type of fighter who’ll study, put themselves in those positions and really work on things that need work on.”
“This weekend, I’ve got a close eye on the main event because I guarantee you Aljamain or Cejudo, whoever wins, they’re calling me out. I can bet my balls on it. They’re calling me out.”
Sterling is scheduled to take on Cejudo in the headlining bout of UFC 288 on May 6 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
