30 UFC Stars Predict Aljamin Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo

On Saturday May 6, we will see one of the most anticipated comebacks in a long time when former UFC double champion Henry Cejudo returns to challenge reigning bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288.

Click “Next” to check out how MMA pros and experts predict the fight!

Sean O’Malley

Pick: Cejudo

Top ranked bantamweight Sean O’Malley believes Cejudo to win at UFC 288.

”I think Henry is going to outpace Aljo. I think Aljo is cutting too much weight. I think Henry’s going to, whether it’s a decision to get the job done in later rounds,” O’Malley says.

Petr Yan

Pick: Sterling

Former bantamweight champion Petr Yan thinks Cejudo’s layoff will play a part in the result on Saturday.

”I think Sterling will win,” Yan says. ”Yes, I think it’s gonna affect him [Cejudo]. I don’t believe he’s gonna display his best shape.”

Marlon Vera

Pick: 50/50

Top ranked bantamweight Marlon Vera thinks Cejudo is the better striker and moves well, but is unsure how the long layoff affects him.

”Who knows, I don’t give a fuck really,” Vera says.

Song Yadong

Pick: Sterling

Song Yadong thinks Sterling will keep his belt on Saturday.

”I pick Sterling,” Yadong says.

Erin Blanchfield

Pick: Sterling

Flyweight prospect Erin Blanchfield thinks the champion gets it done come Saturday.

”I’m going with Aljamain,” Blanchfield predicts. ”He’s a bigger guy. I think he will finish Cejudo.”

Jan Blachowicz

Pick: Sterling

Former UFC lightweight champion Jan Blachowicz thinks Sterling will defend his strap at UFC 288.

”I think he’s going to beat him,” Blachowicz says.

Cory Sandhagen

Pick: 50/50

Top ranked bantamweight Cory Sandhagen believes that the excellent ground skills of the pair forces them to keep the fight on the feet.

”So it might just be a not so exciting kickboxing fight between two wrestler guys,” Sandhagen predicits.

Mateusz Gamrot

Pick: Cejudo

Top ranked lightweight Mateusz Gamrot thinks we will have a new bantamweight champion on Saturday.

”Henry Cejudo,” Gamrot says.

Anthony Smith

Pick: Sterling

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith changed his mind and picks Sterling to win at UFC 288.

”I got to give the edge to the champ because he’s been more active and we don’t know what Cejudo is going to look like,” Smith says.

Sean Brady

Pick: Sterling

Welterweight contender Sean Brady is a fan of the champion and expects him to win against Cejudo.

”I love Aljo, I love what he’s doing,” Brady says.

Curtis Blaydes

Pick: Sterling

Top ranked heavyweight Curtis Blaydes got Sterling winning the bantamweight battle.

”I think Aljo gets on his back and gets the finish,” Blaydes predicts.

Rob Font

Pick: Sterling

Top ranked bantamweight Rob Font looks forward to the fight.

”I’m going with the champ on this one,” Font says.

Adrian Yanez

Pick: Cejudo

No. 12 ranked bantamweight Adrian Yanez sees two very intelligent fighters in Sterling and Cejudo.

”I’m 60/40 Henry,” Yanez says.

Geoff Neal

Pick: Sterling

Top 10 ranked welterweight Geoff Neal thinks Cejudo’s long layoff will affect the outcome of the title fight.

”I’m going with Aljamain,” Neal says.

Johnny Walker

Pick: 50/50

Light heavyweight Johnny Walker can see both fighters win at UFC 288.

”I can’t pick a winner in that fight because they are very different stylistically,” Walker says.

Drew Dober

Pick: Sterling

Drew Dober believes the size difference will be a factor in the UFC 288 headline fight.

”I got Aljamain Sterling,” Dober says.

Pedro Munhoz

Pick: Sterling

Bantamweight Pedro Munhoz thinks the size difference will be a factor in the title fight.

”I see an advantage for Aljamain Sterling,” Munhoz says.

Matt Brown

Pick: Cejudo

UFC veteran Matt Brown thinks Henry Cejudo will be the new bantamweight champion.

“I’m going to go with Cejudo on that. I think he beats him relatively easily. Cejudo, I’m picking very soundly to win that fight,” Brown says.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Pick: Sterling

Heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik is confident in the champ.

”I definitely go with Aljamin,” Rozenstruik says.

Alexander Hernandez

Pick: Cejudo

Lightweight Alexander Hernandez thinks Henry Cejudo will get it done even though the absence from the cage could affect him.

”I would say Cejudo,” Hernandez predicts.

Billy Quarantillo

Pick: Sterling

Featherweight Billy Quarantillo believes that the reigning champion will get his hand raised on Saturday.

”It’s a tough thing to take that far of a layoff like Cejudo did,” Quarantillo says. ”Aljamain is such a big 135er.”

Gillian Robertson

Pick: Sterling

Flyweight submission artist Gillian Robertson thinks it will be a good fight.

”I think Aljo pulls it off,” Robertson says.

Loopy Godinez

Pick: Cejudo

UFC strawweight Loopy Godinez thinks ”Triple C” will retake his former bantamweight throne.

”I will go with Cejudo,” Godinez says.

Gerald Meerschaert

Pick: Sterling

UFC middleweight Gerald Meerschaert thinks ”Funkmaster” will still be champ after UFC 288.

”Aljo is going to find a way to take the back,” Meerschaert says.

Julian Marquez

Pick: Sterling

Middleweight Julian Marquez is dead sure the champion gets it done.

”Aljamain all day,” Marquez says. ”The game is evolving.”

Bryan Barberena

Pick: Sterling

Welterweight fan favorite Bryan Barberena believes in the reigning champion.

”I think Aljamain,” Barberena predicts. ”I was really impressed with his adjustments in the work he did in his last fight.”

Tabatha Ricci

Pick: Sterling

Tabatha Ricci thinks ”Aljo” will defeat Cejudo in New Jersey.

”Damn, Aljamain Sterling,” Ricci says.

Malcom Gordon

Pick: Double KO

Flyweight Malcom Gordon had a somewhat unusual prediction.

”I hope both of them clash heads and they call it a fucking double KO to be honest. They are both so cringe,” Gordon says.

Sam Hughes

Pick: Cejudo

Strawweight Sam Hughes thinks Cejdu will perform well in his comeback.

”Man, probably Cejudo,” Hughes says.

Tanner Boser

Pick: Cejudo

UFC heavyweight Tanner Boser believes it will be an even fight in New Jersey.

”Maybe I lean slightly towards Cejudo but it’s a good fight, a toss up,” Tanner says.

Marc-Andre Barriault

Pick: Cejudo

Marc-Andre Barriault believes Henry Cejudo will be back with a vengeance.

”I like Cejudo man, so I’m going with Henry,” Barriault says.

This is Aljamain Sterling

• Age: 33
• Record: 22-3
• UFC record: 14-3
• Weight: 135 lbs (62 kilo)
• Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
• Reach: 71 in (180 cm)
• Title defenses: 2
• Post-fight bonuses: 1

”I feel I stop him in the second round, that’s the plan with how I’m training,” Sterling says about the fight.

This is Henry Cejudo

• Age: 36
• Record: 16-2
• UFC record: 10-2
• Weight: 135 lbs (62 kilo)
• Height: 5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
• Reach: 64 in (163 cm)
• Title defenses: 2
• Post-fight bonuses: 4

”Aljamain’s just not at my level and I love it,” Cejudo says about the fight.

Read more: UFC 288: Sterling vs. Cejudo – Fight Card, Start time & How to Watch

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