5 reasons why the UFC should make Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo

#4. A win over Henry Cejudo would legitimize Aljamain Sterling more than any other victory

If he could beat Henry Cejudo, nobody could ever question Aljamain Sterling's legitimacy as champion

Many UFC fans would probably disagree, but there’s definitely an argument that Aljamain Sterling is the promotion’s most unfairly overlooked champion right now.

The reigning bantamweight kingpin admittedly won his crown in controversial circumstances when former champ Petr Yan was disqualified for the use of an illegal knee, but the fact that ‘Funk Master’ then defeated the Russian in a rematch should’ve legitimized him.

However, the semi-controversial nature of that fight, which Sterling won in a razor-close decision, means that many fans still don’t buy him as a genuine champion.

That’s nonsense, of course, as the result of his fight with Yan wasn’t a bad decision by any means, but some fans simply need more convincing. Therefore, what better way would there be for ‘Funk Master’ to convince his doubters than for him to beat Henry Cejudo?

After all, prior to his self-imposed retirement, ‘Triple C’ was widely recognized as the best bantamweight on the planet after his wins over Marlon Moraes, T.J. Dillashaw and Dominick Cruz. He also appeared to be on his way to becoming an all-time great of the UFC.

Given that Cejudo has only ever lost once in his MMA career, suffering a TKO defeat to Demetrious Johnson in 2016 that he later avenged, if Sterling was to defeat him, it’d be hard not to consider ‘Funk Master’ not only a genuine champion, but as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet.

Potential wins over fighters like Jose Aldo, T.J. Dillashaw and Marlon Vera might look good for Sterling, but they definitely wouldn’t have the impact that a win over Cejudo would have. That’s a major reason that the UFC should book this fight.

---

#3. There’s no other clear-cut top contender at bantamweight right now

Nobody would mind if Henry Cejudo leapfrogged TJ Dillashaw to claim a title shot

The main reason standing against a potential UFC bantamweight title bout between Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo is the fact that ‘Triple C’ has not fought since his self-imposed retirement in 2020. To hand him a title shot upon his return would be allowing him to jump the queue.

However, is there really a queue for a title shot at 135 pounds right now? It’s definitely a point for debate.

Sterling has already beaten Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen. While Jose Aldo is on a strong run right now, he lost a title bout with Yan in 2020 and is arguably past his best at this point.

That leaves T.J. Dillashaw. While the former titleholder does have a claim at a shot at Sterling due to his win over Sandhagen last year, he also holds a loss to Cejudo (albeit at flyweight) and his positive drug test still hangs over him somewhat in the eyes of the fans.

With that considered, would anyone really complain if ‘Triple C’, who never lost his title in the octagon, were to jump ahead of Dillashaw in the queue for a shot at ‘Funk Master’? To be honest, it’s highly doubtful.

Sure, Dillashaw himself might feel aggrieved, but then again he could easily wait to face off against the winner of the Sterling vs. Cejudo bout, or even take a stylistically good fight in the interim with an opponent like Aldo or old foe Dominick Cruz.

Essentially, there is no genuine top contender at bantamweight right now, meaning that Henry Cejudo should be allowed to fill that gap.