According to BetMGM, Cejudo (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is currently favored at -223, while Cruz (22-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) is the underdog at +180. There is also a ton on the line in the co-main event with a title shot likely coming to the winner of the welterweight clash between Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad.īurns told the media on Wednesday that UFC President Dana White “guaranteed” him a title shot if he can overcome Muhammad. Bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo is a moderate betting favorite entering his UFC 249 title defense against former belt holder Dominick Cruz. The main event could be a fascinating test of primary and secondary skills with the 135-pound on the line. The major questions are can Cejudo return to form, and if he can, will Sterling be able to rise to the occasion and hold on to his title? Both men worked to greatly expand their effectiveness as strikers, but Cejudo would appear to be the more powerful fighter in stand-up. 19 of 29 14 of 29 65 48 3 of 10 4 of 16 2 of 3 6 of 7 14 of 16 4 of 6 18 of 28 14 of 29 0 of 0 0 of 0 1 of 1 0 of 0 Round 2 Henry Cejudo. While Sterling’s grappling has always been the centerpiece of his combat sports skillset, Cejudo is arguably the greatest and most accomplished wrestler in mixed martial arts history. Cejudo is 36 years old and there are legitimate concerns about whether he can still perform at a level necessary to dethrone Sterling. Despite the layoff, he is a slight favorite over the champion. Oddsmakers seem to still believe in Cejudo. While there is a major gap between fights for Cejudo, he is on a personal six-fight win streak having dispatched Wilson Reis, Sergio Pettis, Demetrious Johnson, TJ Dillashaw, Marlon Moraes, and Cruz in his most recent fights. The 2-time UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist in men’s freestyle wrestling in 2008 in Beijing stepped away from MMA after he defeated Cruz in 2020. Sterling bested former champion Petr Yan twice (the first by DQ and the second by split decision) and he defeated former titleholder TJ Dillashaw via TKO in his last title defense in Abu Dhabi at UFC 280 in October 2022.Ĭejudo comes in as one of the most decorated combat sports athletes of all time. The 33-year-old champion is on a 8-fight win streak and Saturday’s fight will be his fourth straight against a former titleholder. Let’s Refresh Our Memories On One Of The Greatest Combat Sports Athletes Of All Time Before He Makes His Return At UFC 288. The bout will be a home game of sorts for Sterling, who hails from Uniondale, New York, and trains out of Serra-Longo in Long Island, NY. Diego Lopes (replacement for Bryce Mitchell) Dominick Cruz +185 - per BetOnline Cejudo is the clear favorite according to oddsmakers for this fight, and there are a few factors at play, and one of them has to be Cruz. Men’s Featherweight - Movsar Evloev vs.UFC Men’s Bantamweight Championship - © Aljamain Sterling vs.
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