Oddsmakers have opened up leaning slightly toward UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling to beat Henry Cejudo if a fight materializes as expected.
Sterling announced that his next title defense will come against Cejudo, who’s returning from retirement, possibly in March. Although Sterling openly said he sees No. 1 contender Sean O’Malley as the bigger fight, it appears the promotion has opted to give former UFC dual champ Cejudo the next title shot.
According to BestFightOdds.com, Sterling has opened up as a -120 favorite, meaning a $120 bet would be needed on the champion to return $100. Meanwhile, Cejudo is a +100 underdog, meaning a $100 bet on the challenger would result in $100 with a win.
Sterling (22-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) has notched two title defenses as champion: a split decision over Petr Yan, followed by a dominant TKO of ex-champ T.J. Dillashaw in October at UFC 280.
Cejudo (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC), on the other hand, will try to reclaim the bantamweight title he never lost. The former flyweight and bantamweight champion hung up his gloves after he retained his 135-pound title against Dominick Cruz in May 2020. However, his retirement will be short-lived.
