Aljamain Sterling celebrates with friends and family follwoing his win at UFC 288. Photo: Instagram
It was a chaotic climax to UFC 288 as the next title contender was confirmed following Aljamain Sterling's bantamweight defence against the returning Henry Cejudo.
The Funk Master edged the Olympic gold medalist in another impressive five round performance, his third defence since controversially winning the belt by disqualification.
However, any lingering doubts about Aljo's championship credentials were put to rest as he equalled Dominic Cruz's record number of title defences with the hard fought split decision victory against the man who relinquished his championship in 2020.
Sterling dominated Cejudo on the feet, outlanding him in significant strikes by 135 to 99 while also edging the Olympic wrestler in takedowns.
The New Jersey crowd still rained boo's down on the champion, who takes his record to 23-3.
During Sterling's post fight speech, the number two ranked bantamweight Suga Sean O'Malley entered the cage to lay down the challenge.
While O'Malley, who had removed his Michael Jackson Thriller jacket, and Sterling engaged in trash talk, the number one ranked bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili donned the jacket and leaped onto the cage.
O'Malley became incensed and the three went back and forth with words and shoves before the octagon was cleared.
Prior to Aljo's triumph, the durable Gilbert Burns' momentum was halted by Belal Muhammad who scored a dominant unanimous decision win to take his record to 23-3 and set up a possible shot with the winner of the next likely welterweight title match up between Colby Covington and champion Leon Edwards.
Durinho looked out of sorts agaisnt Muhammad and appeared to be suffering from a shoulder injury just one month out from retiring fan favourite Jorge Masvidal.
This weekend sees Surinamese heavyweight Jairzinho Rozenstruik headline against Jailton Almeida who is riding a 13-fight winning streak, while the always exciting Jonny Walker clashes with Anthony Smith at light heavyweight.
The undefeated Ian Garry also meets veteran Daniel Rodriguez at welterweight.
