After his five round split decision win over Henry Cejudo (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) at UFC 288, Daniel Cormier thinks it’s about time UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling (23-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) gets some long overdue respect.
“Guys, stop booing Aljamain,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “Give this man his respect. This dude is doing everything you want as a champion. He’s active, he fights the best guys that they put in front of him, he wins fights, he carries himself in the way of a champion. It’s time to stop booing Aljamain Sterling.
Sterling’s win at UFC 288 over Cejudo (a former dual champion at Bantamweight and Flyweight), made him the first fighter in UFC history to defend the bantamweight title three times in a row successfully, yet another reason that Cormier believes that Sterling should have the fans’ respect as a champion.
“It sucks that this happens time and time again. And in Newark, New Jersey, which is very close to New York, Aljo’s getting booed. It really made no sense. I don’t know what this man has to do to garner your respect. If tonight wasn’t enough, you’re just never gonna be satisfied.”
Cormier concedes that the Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo fight was a close one, and that Cejudo won round five, he would have scored the fight in favor of Sterling as well.
“I felt pretty certain that Aljamain had done enough to win,” Cormier continued. “47-48, 48-47, 48-47 spoke to how competitive this fight was. I gave Round 1 to Aljamain Sterling, I gave Round 2 to Henry Cejudo, I gave Round 3 to Aljo, Round 4 to Aljo, and I gave Round 5 to Henry Cejudo. Very competitive fight.”
Sterling’s next opponent will likely be the #2 ranked bantamweight fighter “Sugar’ Sean O’Malley, who is currently on a 4-fight-winning streak, with his last win coming via split decision over a very tough Petr Yan. O’Malley entered the octagon to personally call out Sterling after the latter’s win at UFC 288.
What did you think of the Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo fight? Would you have scored the fight the same way as the judges? Are you looking forward to Aljamain Sterling vs. “Sugar” Sean O’Malley? Let us know in the comments.
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