After a solid fight night last weekend, MMA fans have another exciting card on tap this weekend in UFC 288. The main card is slated to get underway at around 10 p.m. ET, giving the title fight a start time of around 12 a.m. ET. But this headliner between Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo is worth staying up for, and our expert will dive into the UFC odds to make his prediction and identify the best bets for Sterling-Cejudo.
UFC 288 Odds & Bets: Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo
Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo Odds
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
Henry Cejudo: -116 | Aljamain Sterling: -102
Over 4.5: -164 | Under 4.5: +128
He’s ba-ack! After retiring in 2020, Henry Cejudo, otherwise known as the King of Cringe, will make his return to the octagon after a three-year break. Cejudo went out on top with a successful defense of the bantamweight title, and he’ll get a chance at taking the belt back tonight. The former champion retired early and is still only 36 years old, only slightly older than his opponent, 33-year-old Aljamain Sterling.
Cejudo is the betting favorite for tonight’s bout despite entering at a meaningful size disadvantage. He stands 5-foot-4, three inches shorter than Sterling, and has a 64-inch reach, seven inches less than Sterling’s. But because both Cejudo and Sterling have backgrounds in wrestling, height and reach matter a bit less than if these fighters were boxers by trade. Neither of Cejudo’s professional losses came against taller opponents.
Sharps were quick to get action on Cejudo. According to BetMGM, Cejudo has drawn 76% of the handle on only 59% of the bets, leading the book to move his opening number of -115 to -120. DraftKings reports similar action: Cejudo has attracted 75% of the handle on only 63% of the bets, per VSiN, which has also led the book to list Cejudo at -120. Fortunately, bettors can still find the -116 at FanDuel Sportsbook.
I think it’s smart to trust the sharps with this one. Although Cejudo’s lengthy retirement may affect his performance, the rest will likely have done him good. Sterling has fought four times since Cejudo’s last outing, and he may have picked up some extra wear and tear through that span. Predicting Cejudo’s form after a three-year break is a bit of a crapshoot, but he has shown more than enough previously to warrant backing him tonight. Readers yet to register at FanDuel can score $150 in bonus bets with a $5 wager!
UFC Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo Prediction: Henry Cejudo -116 at FanDuel
