Late last night, Henry Cejudo responded to Aljamain Sterling's Youtube video on his own Youtube channel. Long story short, Henry said his name has been on the UFC contract to fight on May 6th at UFC 288 for the Bantamweight Championship. Aljo made it sound yesterday like it was a done deal. Personally, I'll take the word of Sterling considering he is the current champion, he is an active champion, and fights whoever the UFC puts in front of him. Cejudo, on the other hand, has been saying for months "Just sign the contract Aljo" as if the UFC would prioritize a guy who hasn't fought since 2020 over the current champion of the division. You have to decide whose word you want to take.
Cejudo also mentions in his video that this is the fight the UFC is looking for, but he claims Aljo hasn't signed this contract he keeps talking about. He even tells Sean O'Malley to "be ready" in case Aljo backs out. I don't know why Henry believes Aljo is going to back out. Sterling has said in the past that he had a torn bicep, but in his yesterday morning video, he said he'll be ready for UFC 288. Henry is honestly really suspect. He waited all day to make a response video that is trying to sell Aljo is going to back out of the fight. Aljo hasn't pulled out of any fights in recent history and shows zero signs that he will in the future. If Aljo does pull out then credit to Henry for knowing more than he's leading on, but even so, O'Malley vs Cejudo could be just as entertaining. Especially if the UFC is considering Sean's pitch for UFC 288 to land in Arizona, where both O'Malley and Cejudo reside.
Charles Oliviera seems to believe that the rumors are true. Maybe both contracts have been completely signed, Cejudo did sign first and just hasn't been informed by UFC that Aljo signed the contract. Hopefully, that is the case because these two fights have the potential to be fight of the year candidates. With Bryce Mitchell vs Johnathan Pearce on the card as well, UFC 288 could stack up just like the rest of the cards this year. Every card that has happened or is booked for 2023 is nearly super so far. There's no reason why UFC 288 would be any different.
As great of a co-main event as Oliviera vs Dariush would be, the card still needs a little more "umph." Mitchell should open the card, 100%. Drew Dober vs Paddy Pimblett has been discussed on social media but lacks credibility and confirmation right now. Still, that is an enticing following fight leading into Oliviera vs Dariush. However, there has also been a lot of stir about Khamzat Chimaev vs Robert Whittaker as an upcoming bout. Khamzat has said he will fight after Ramadan. I don't know if May 6th is too early of a return with Ramadan ending April 21st, but it just seems like the perfect opportunity to make UFC 288 a super card with only one title on the line.
There haven't been many other fights rumored for this pay-per-view. Yet, the potential lineup is all need to know that it can be the card of the year.
UFC 288 Potential Card
Henry Cejudo vs Aljamain Sterling (c)
*Khamzat Chimaev vs Robert Whittaker*
Charles Oliviera vs Beneil Dariush
**Drew Dober vs Paddy Pimblett**
Bryce Mitchell vs Johnathan Pearce
*= Only Khamzat has mentioned Whittaker as his next opponent, yet Whittaker said he's down. Plus May 6th could be a quick return to the octagon after Ramadan for Khamzat.
**= It seems like Drew Dober is trying to speak this fight into existence as there is no indication from Paddy's side this is legit and the UFC might not want to book Paddy such a dangerous opponent.
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