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

#2. Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo could easily headline a big UFC event

A fight between Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo could draw money on pay-per-view

Ever since it was introduced into the UFC in 2011, it’s probably fair to say that the bantamweight division hasn’t always been the promotion’s most highly-drawing weight class.

Bantamweight champions like Dominick Cruz, Renan Barao and Cody Garbrandt were able to become stars to a certain extent, but for the most part, the UFC hasn’t really gotten behind 135 pounds at times.

In fact, ever since Cruz’s title bout with Urijah Faber headlined UFC 132 in 2011, just six more pay-per-views have been headlined by bantamweight title bouts. Interestingly, the last event to do so was UFC 238, which saw Henry Cejudo defeat Marlon Moraes for the vacant title.

Right now, then, it doesn’t feel like reigning bantamweight king Aljamain Sterling would be ready to headline a major UFC pay-per-view against an opponent like T.J. Dillashaw or Jose Aldo, but a fight with the former champion Cejudo would be a different matter entirely.

Not only would both men be willing to talk up this fight as a big deal, but it’s not often that a fighter who never lost his title in the octagon returns to attempt to reclaim it. That’s a big deal, however you look at it.

Would a bout between Sterling and Cejudo draw money like a Conor McGregor fight? Probably not, but then very few fights do. Would it draw as well, if not better, than most of the other UFC title bouts that could be put together right now, though? Absolutely.

There’s a ready-made storyline here that would instantly pique the interest of fans, casual and hardcore alike. Given the fact that money could therefore be made, there’s no doubt that the UFC should look to book this fight as soon as possible.

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#1. Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo would make an excellent stylistic match

It'd be fascinating to find out if Aljamain Sterling could outgrapple Henry Cejudo

When fans discuss potentially cool-sounding fights on paper, they often forget to consider the stylistic match between the fighters involved. Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero, for instance, sounded amazing on the surface, but in hindsight, their fighting styles meant that a dull fight was always possible.

Unlike that fight, a UFC bantamweight title bout between Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo not only sounds good on paper, but it could make for a truly amazing fight in execution, too.

Due to his Olympic gold medal, ‘Triple C’ undoubtedly holds the best wrestling credentials in the bantamweight division right now, while his striking skills have also come on leaps and bounds over the years. Add in his deep gas tank, and he’s essentially got no weaknesses as such.

However, while Sterling might not hold Cejudo’s wrestling credentials, there’s an argument that he might be the better grappler overall, particularly with his submission skills. If he could get on top of ‘Triple C’, then he could give him plenty of difficulties.

Add in Sterling’s unorthodox striking style, which is built around his kicks and unpredictable movement, and this could be a difficult fight to pick wherever it might take place.

Essentially, Cejudo vs. Sterling is the kind of bout that would almost guarantee to produce some crazy action, and it’d probably be a back-and-forth one too with both fighters capable of hurting the other in multiple areas.

On paper at least, it’s the best bantamweight title bout the UFC could put together right now, and in that sense, there’s no reason why the promotion shouldn’t look to ink it as soon as they can.