Daniel Cormier thinks it’s time Aljamain Sterling got his credit after UFC 288.
Sterling (23-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) retained his bantamweight title against former dual champion Henry Cejudo (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) by split decision in this past Saturday’s main event at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. With the win, Sterling became the first champion in UFC bantamweight history to reach three consecutive title defenses.
Cormier was baffled to see Sterling, a native of neighboring New York, receive boos from the crowd.
“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.
“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.”
No bantamweight champ in UFC history has gone on a run like Aljamain Sterling. Where does he rank among the all-time greats?
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Cormier acknowledges that the fight was close, and he wouldn’t have been too disappointed if more than one judge awarded it to Cejudo. But on his scorecard, Sterling won.
“I felt pretty certain that Aljamain had done enough to win,” Cormier said. “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.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 288.
