UFC 288 Sterling vs. Cejudo Live Stream: How to Watch on TV, Broadcast Time, TV Channels, Analysis and Live Streams
By Oliver Grant
2023-05-04
In a highly anticipated showdown, Aljamain Sterling is set to defend his UFC bantamweight title against former champion Henry Cejudo at UFC 288. Sterling, unbeaten since 2017 with eight consecutive wins, aims to solidify his reign as the bantamweight kingpin by overcoming Cejudo's challenge. Cejudo, a former flyweight and bantamweight champion and an Olympic gold medalist, is making his comeback after a three-year retirement. The stage is set for an epic battle as both fighters vie for the coveted 135-pound belt and stake their claim as the greatest combat-sports athlete of all time.
UFC 288: Date, Time, and Venue
UFC 288 is scheduled to take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday, May 6. The event will feature a stacked card showcasing some of the most exciting fighters in the promotion.
Broadcast Times
- Early prelims: 11 pm BST (3 pm PT, 5 pm CT, 6 pm ET).
- Prelims: 1 am BST on Sunday, May 7 (5 pm PT, 7 pm CT, 8 pm ET on Saturday).
- Main card: 3 am BST on Sunday (7 pm PT, 9 pm CT, 10 pm ET on Saturday).
How to Watch UFC 288: Broadcast and Streaming Options
In the UK, fans can catch all the action live on BT Sport. The fights will be broadcasted on the BT Sport app and website, ensuring that viewers don't miss a single moment of the intense battles.
For fans in the US, ESPN+ will stream the event live, along with the UFC's Fight Pass, providing multiple options to enjoy the fights from the comfort of your home.
UFC 288 Live Streams (Free!):
Live at May 7 (6 pm ET): updated
UFC 288 Fight Card: Main Card, Prelims, and Early Prelims
Main Card
- Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo (Bantamweight Championship)
- Gilbert Burns vs. Belal Muhammad (Welterweight)
- Jessica Andrade vs. Yan Xiaonan (Women's Strawweight)
- Movsar Evloev vs. Bryce Mitchell (Featherweight)
- Kron Gracie vs. Charles Jourdain (Featherweight)
Preliminary Card
- Drew Dober vs. Matt Frevola (Lightweight)
- Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Devin Clark (Light Heavyweight)
- Khaos Williams vs. Rolando Bedoya (Welterweight)
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Virna Jandiroba (Women's Strawweight)
Early Prelims
- Braxton Smith vs. Parker Porter (Heavyweight)
- Phil Hawes vs. Ikram Aliskerov (Middleweight)
- Rafael Estevam vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (Flyweight)
- Joseph Holmes vs. Claudio Ribeiro (Middleweight)
Main Event Breakdown: Sterling vs. Cejudo
Aljamain Sterling (C) vs. Henry Cejudo (Bantamweight Title)
Aljamain Sterling, currently ranked #6 pound-for-pound, holds an impressive record of 22 wins and 3 losses, with 14 of his victories coming inside the UFC Octagon. Sterling's journey to the top has been filled with ups and downs, but his unwavering determination and skill have led him to the pinnacle of the bantamweight division. Known as the "Funk Master," Sterling possesses a dynamic grappling style and has showcased his abilities with eight consecutive wins since 2017.
On the other side of the Octagon stands Henry Cejudo, a former champion in both the flyweight and bantamweight divisions. Cejudo's entrance into the UFC was marked by his incredible wrestling background and inspiring life story as an Olympic gold medalist. After capturing the flyweight title by dethroning the legendary Demetrious Johnson, Cejudo went on to claim the bantamweight belt.
This matchup between Sterling and Cejudo is filled with intrigue and questions. Sterling's unorthodox grappling techniques, combined with his improved striking, pose a unique challenge for Cejudo. However, Cejudo's wrestling prowess and experience in championship fights cannot be underestimated.
Sterling's path to the title has been met with criticism and controversy. In his first title fight against Petr Yan, Sterling was declared the winner by disqualification after an illegal knee strike from Yan. Despite the victory, Sterling faced backlash from the MMA community, as many felt he hadn't earned the title in a legitimate manner.
In their highly anticipated rematch, Sterling silenced his critics by defeating Yan via decision, showcasing his ability to adapt and implement a game plan. However, his next scheduled title defense against T.J. Dillashaw was canceled due to Dillashaw's unfortunate shoulder injury.
With Dillashaw out of the picture, Cejudo emerged as the unexpected challenger. The matchup adds another layer of complexity, as Cejudo and Sterling share a training affiliation and consider each other friends. The dynamics of their relationship will undoubtedly play a role in the fight, adding emotional intensity to the already high-stakes contest.
Analyzing the matchup, Cejudo possesses superior wrestling skills, but Sterling has showcased a more well-rounded game in recent fights. Sterling's length and striking abilities could pose problems for Cejudo, who will need to utilize his experience and athleticism to neutralize Sterling's strengths.
In this clash of bantamweight titans, expect a closely contested battle that could go the distance. Both fighters possess the skills and determination to secure victory, but only one will emerge as the true champion.
UFC 288 promises to deliver a memorable night of fights, with the main event between Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo capturing the attention of MMA fans worldwide. As Sterling defends his bantamweight title against the former champion Cejudo, the stakes are high, and the outcome will shape the future of the division.
With Sterling's unblemished record since 2017 and his recent victories over top contenders, he aims to solidify his reign as the undisputed bantamweight champion. Cejudo, on the other hand, seeks to make a triumphant comeback and regain the belt he once held.
The clash between Sterling and Cejudo is a battle of contrasting styles and personal narratives, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already exciting matchup. Whether Sterling's dynamic grappling and improved striking will be enough to thwart Cejudo's wrestling prowess remains to be seen.
On the night of UFC 288, all eyes will be on the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, as these two bantamweight warriors step into the Octagon to determine the fate of the division. Brace yourself for a thrilling night of action and witness history unfold as the future of the bantamweight division is decided with MMAbite.net free curated list of UFC 288 streams and coverage
