UFC 288: Key results from the main card. Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling retains Title.
1. Introduction
The UFC 288 event was held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on May 6, 2023. The main event was a bantamweight championship bout between reigning champion Aljamain Sterling and former two-division titleholder Henry Cejudo, who returned to the Octagon after a three-year hiatus. The evening witnessed intense action from the opening match, leading up to the championship main event.
The Battle for the UFC 288 Bantamweight Belt: Sterling vs Cejudo
2. Main Card Fight Results
a) UFC 288: Sterling vs Cejudo Results
Aljamain Sterling defeats Henry Cejudo by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47): Aljamain Sterling retained his UFC bantamweight championship after securing a split decision victory over returning two-division champion, Henry Cejudo. Both fighters showcased their high-level grappling techniques, but Sterling's diversity in attacks and endurance ultimately secured him the win.
b) Belal Muhammad defeats Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46): Belal Muhammad extended his unbeaten streak to ten and his winning streak to five after defeating Gilbert Burns with a technically sound effort. Muhammad constantly pressurized his opponent with a mix of kicks and punches.
c) Yan Xiaonan defeats Jéssica Andrade by TKO (strikes) at 2:20 of Round 1: Yan Xiaonan picked up her biggest win by stopping former champ Jéssica Andrade in the first round. Yan sniped at Andrade from the outset, and a devastating right hand sent Andrade to the canvas.
d) Movsar Evloev defeats Diego Lopes by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27): Despite being hurt early in the fight and threatened by multiple submission attempts, Movsar Evloev secured his seventh straight UFC victory against Diego Lopes.
e) Charles Jourdain defeats Kron Gracie by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27): Canadian fighter Charles Jourdain fought a measured, tactical fight to earn a unanimous decision win over Brazilian Kron Gracie. Jourdain picked at Gracie on the feet and avoided any submission attempts on the ground.
3. Prelim Fight Results
a) Matt Frevola defeats Drew Dober by TKO (strikes) at 4:08 of Round 1: The final lightweight prelim between Drew Dober and Matt Frevola was the personification of 'All Gas, No Brakes' as both fighters went after each other from the outset. A right hook to the jaw from Frevola put him in the lead, and he secured the biggest stoppage win of his career.
b) At 2:28 of Round 2, Kennedy Nzechukwu secured a victory over Devin Clark by submission via ninja choke, despite initially absorbing a significant blow from his opponent. Nzechukwu battered Clark with punches, elbows, and knees and secured a ninja choke in the second round.
c) Khaos Williams defeats Rolando Bedoya by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28): On the prelims, welterweights Khaos Williams and Rolando Bedoya stood in the pocket and traded. Williams was more effective with his power shots, securing himself a split decision win.
d) Virna Jandiroba defeats Marina Rodriguez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27): Virna Jandiroba controlled the action in the all-Brazilian strawweight battle with Marina Rodriguez. Jandiroba landed damage from top position and pinned Rodriguez down.
4. Early Prelim Results
a) Parker Porter defeats Braxton Smith by TKO (strikes) at 2:10 of Round 1: Parker Porter secured his first UFC stoppage win by avoiding the early power shots fired off by Braxton Smith and quickly climbing into mount to stop him.
b) Ikram Aliskerov defeats Phil Hawes by KO (right hand) at 2:10 of Round 1: Ikram Aliskerov scored one of the nastiest knockouts of the year in his UFC debut, hitting Phil Hawes with a perfect one-two.
c) Claudio Ribeiro defeats Joseph Holmes by TKO (strikes) at 3:21 of Round 2: In the opening fight of the evening, Claudio Ribeiro claimed his first UFC win by finishing Joseph Holmes with a step-in right hand.
5. Conclusion
In summary, UFC 288 delivered an exciting night of fights, culminating in a bantamweight championship bout between Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo. Sterling emerged victorious, retaining his title after a split decision victory over Cejudo. The main card and prelims showcased impressive performances from the fighters, including Belal Muhammad's dominant win over Gilbert Burns, Yan Xiaonan's TKO of Jéssica Andrade, and Parker Porter's first UFC stoppage win. Ikram Aliskerov's debut knockout of Phil Hawes was also a highlight of the event. Overall, UFC 288 provided fans with a thrilling night of action and memorable moments in the Octagon.
