https://youtube.com/watch?v=fZMmPp7ykik
UFC 288 Countdown previews the return of former two-weight champion Henry Cejudo, who challenges bantamweight king …
if you can find somebody with a better combat resume than me then I’ll believe you but facts for a fact Henry cejudo is a fantastic athlete hard-working is believing in himself is really what propels him to do beat the greatest of all time at Demetrius Johnson Henry the UFC flyweight champion of the world [Applause] I would have broke my back by myself now look where am I btj dealershon around one 32 seconds [Applause] [Music] simultaneous UFC flyweight and dance away champion of the world pizza good is bad at one of our time at Dominic Cruz [Music] anybody would love to have the resume that Triple C has the analysts of Combat Sports history there are a few athletes quite like Henry sudo he is truly a lifetime what type of athlete game Triple C for his championship Trifecta which includes one Olympic gold medal two simultaneously held UFC World titles I’ve done enough in the sport I’m retiring tonight Triple C’s out we’ve seen a lot of temporary retirements and mixed martial arts but perhaps he’ll be back following the vacating of his belts and subsequent retirement the former champ is back I am the greatest time aiming to reclaim the bantamweight Crown he never lost from reigning King Al Jermaine Sterling I got a gold medal too a gold medal for whooping that ass died for most wins in UFC bantamweight history Funkmaster is in the prime of his career Anaconda human backpack I take you down it’s a rap rack oh my God welcome sahuto to his stomping grounds in the tri-state on May 6th the pair will battle for bantamweight gold in Newark New Jersey remember the clock is ticking it’s too smart for you bro and I’m too tough for you I’m gonna take your ass out and the east coast in front of all your people his mouth wrote a check that his ass can’t cash and I can’t wait to cash it on May 6th the co-main event will see former Welterweight Title Challenger Gilbert Burns battle top five stand-up Bilal Mohammed I’m gonna be the champion 2023. put out my name right now plus former UFC Women’s strawberry Champion Jessica Andre continues her 115 pound campaign against the top 10 standout from China this woman is fierce but first you take a small break at the wrong time we’re in big trouble get ready everybody here is a special part in this journey you guys will hear and you for your 288 Triple C is competing against his own legacy countdown good afternoon from Jacksonville Florida after a near two-month pause in the action the Mixed Martial Arts leader is back I know there’s no fans it’s weird we get to hear every single punch land but we’re getting the call fights bad and white title matchup in the co-headliner Henry sahuto making his first defense tonight against the former two-time UFC bantamweight champion the future Hall of Famer Dominic Cruz UFC 288’s main event the return of Henry sahuto he has a goal it’s to go down in history it’s the greatest Combat Sports athlete of all time 2020. seemingly competed for the last time included one of the most storied careers in Combat Sports history he’s the first guy to ever be an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling and then a UFC champion Ananda two division champion this kid is Relentless and he brings ferocity that you only get from someone who is at the level of an Olympic gold medalist beat the great Demetrius Johnson that’s how TJ Dillashaw please in the way that he did was so impressive that’s [Applause] it Henry shahoodle is a winner and tonight he plans on winning as he’s always done at every level of his entire career if he wants to be considered one of the greatest of all time he has to be Dominic Cruz um [Music] I’m happy with my career I’ve done enough in the sport I want to walk away I’m retiring tonight Joe Daniel I want to say thank you Triple C’s out Henry quit when accomplishment is starting to get tough you sat on the sidelines while we were out here battling in the trenches of the Stacked banaway division but if that’s what the UFC wants me to fight then that’s who I’m gonna play Henry stahuto has vacated the title kyotree on is the new UFC bantamweight champion we’ll see what Al Jermaine Sterling might have for Peoria phantomweight title cejudo vacated in 2020 is now owned by reigning champ in al-jaminster Sterling emerges on the scorecards the UFC’s bantamweight champion of the world Journey to the top began at Uniondale High School in Long Island New York [Music] my development as Russia was huge for my UFC career it all started in at unidel wrestling room nothing is given everything is earned that’s how I felt missed this definitely helped push me to get to this point you know so for me this is what it’s all about that’s where I found the inspiration the hope that I could do more things with my life that was the first time I had College aspirations so it’s cool to go back at the end of the day no one’s gonna look out for your future but yourself that’s one of the things I learned which led me on my path to go to college and eventually find MMA [Music] Collegiate wrestler Sterling would find immediate success from local Tri-State champ [Music] well great things about this young man his ability to execute wild techniques he’s got outstanding wrestling and his striking is wildly unorthodox yeah 14 victories in the UFC are defined by unconventional striking oh how to make Sterling get busy alchemen looks Sensational and we see here it’s more of the same movement very announced suffocating grounded unbelievable oh aljo’s got his back he’s unders oh this is big this is gigantic Al Jermaine Sterling is going off man some big shots oh my goodness that was a spectacular performance his second title defense already a takedown by the champion Big Shots here from the top honestly elbow from Sterling which have the Funkmaster Riding High it’s over that’ll do it and still ready to welcome back the former King thank you in the years that Al Jermaine Sterling spent dominating bantamweight opposition former king would adopt a new lifestyle free from the grind of constant competition now my favorite memorabilia here is this right here foreign I retired from the sport of mixed martial arts because I started getting sick of competing in combat I from age 11 all the way to age 33 that’s 22 years of just competing I had to move on bird the bird yeah look you see right there I want to have a family I want to have a kid I need help nah this is why these last three years have been the best years of my life to me this is why Israel is beating people right here he does a really good job with those lower body faints started my YouTube channel where I’m able to share a lot of my knowledge people call me Dr seuto sometimes I’ve been trained John Jones you don’t have to drill something a thousand times like no understand the feel understand that concept it’ll just come to me I promise you Demetrius Johnson Victor ious yes Zhang Whaley no no no bring that bring that back please you see what I’m saying I relax and tomorrow it’s really when you do it right I’m really recovering here go I love the fact that the Legends come up to learn from me let that light follow his leg yes to me it’s an extreme honor we walked back to set the feet together getting the chest to teach them has just opened my mind to how much more that I was missing those are the things that people can’t see John I always pull that out of your back pocket so who knows time spent coaching Champions he is one of the most electric fighters on this UF was his first experience witnessing history he said the two biggest things that he has learned from Henry Soto be patient and stick to the game plan instead of writing it oh knock down for theoretical medicine somewhere along the way I love you anything I love you the fire to continue with Legacy [Applause] [Music] [Music] with the renewed sense of purpose Rumblings of a return would permeate the landscape of MMA I didn’t see that you won’t imagine if he’s right here I’d love a tune-up because I think you absolutely suck what’s up everyone’s got the same question Triple C when you returning to the UFC congratulations can we come to one day witnessing Triple C returning will the king return at some point until the bantamweight champion would sign on the dotted line two weeks that’s it that’s it for what I’m in shame two weeks what remember the clock is taken for a date with Triple C I can’t wait for this I can’t wait for that aljamin Sterling has shown for so long that he is one of the best bantamweights in the world and he’s going to show him that it’s a new age in the van away division get your ass in shape go talk to Dana and let Daddy Let You Down Al Jermaine Sterling who in the not too distant future may very well be able to lay claim to being the greatest fan of weight of all time breaking news I’m fighting May 6 against Henry Cudo get out of here and I can’t wait to show the world that I was remain stolen is still the Best Damn Band of weight on this planet oh punishing elbow from Scarlet T it’s simply to make history that’s why I’m coming back it’s nothing else but a challenge Within Me I retired at 33 folks never come back I’d still be happy I’d be happy with my resume but how are you guys I’m excited to come back just go out as the greatest mixed martial arts of all time I’m a better Striker I’m a better tactician oh Sterling is easy money and I want to cash in he’s a special person you don’t get more competitive than that man Henry sahuto [Music] hey how’s it going to sleep [Music] hey guys it’s Captain I just wanted to first off thank Grimaldi’s for inviting teams to Judo to eat and thank you to everybody here everybody here is a special part in this journey for the return of the greatest combat athlete of all time former 2 8 UFC champion Henry sahuto is officially back from retirement that’s why we’re all here today everybody give a hand to Henry Triple C sahuto site set on recapturing the bantamweight belt from reigning Champion Al Jermaine Sterling on May 6th a feat sahura will prepare to accomplish with an ever-growing team that’s why I did want to let you guys know that we’re going to be adding another sahuto into our family [Applause] [Music] people would say you really don’t understand love until you have a kid it’s an unconditional love yeah she loves a golf cart baby knowing that she created this human and now you have to counsel and match with this little thing so she can make this world a better place I know it sounds corny and cliche but that’s just the reality whoa look at that look at look at it and a little raccoon [Music] but my wife is super supportive super smart and I think that’s what I really love about her uh I don’t just live for myself no more and my family my kids my wife that’s the only motivation that I need [Music] 2004 and I remember in his dorm rooms at the Olympic Training Center he had a list he had a few things on it to become Olympic champion to become UFC champion and another was to become the best husband and father he could be for those and now that is back we’re not only the number one team we are one we are the United Nations to become the best in the world we got to invite the world to train and that’s what we’ve done if you think Team Al Joe can compete with this Ain’t No Way ready easy and hard up for all sahuru was accomplished [Music] most legendary athletes always strive for more get your head on the cage fueled by the Legacy they will leave behind when truly said Dragon spin dragons a lot of people think I’m not serious about coming back or it’s about money but it’s really about making history and about Legacy keep going live keep going live keep going live wherever you’re at you’re going I’ve always looked up to guys like Michael Jordan keep it there you know Manny Pacquiao history makers who have done it Ace they will be in their record books forever beautiful Henry 15 seconds that is the reason why I’m coming back yep he may train harder he made train smarter but I’m better than you and now I’m going to prove them make them fist blood there you go I’m gonna prove that I am the best 135 pounder in the world there it is sahuru aims to reclaim Champion status on May 6th a position that bantamweight King Al Jermaine Sterling enjoying for the past two years right now we’re headed to ranges it’s gonna be a great game I’m excited to watch interact with the fans a little bit and uh watch a good game the Funkmaster is put to take advantage of experiences afforded by life at the top I was saying what we’re going to do is we’re just going to do some like content stuff for social okay and then after that we’re gonna head down to the pressroom there’s a couple of media members there that want to talk with you oh nice very nice so we had like a couple NJ outlets and all that good stuff oh that’s sick nice amazing chip life it’s a good life on the UFC bandwidth champion of the world and Devil’s fans I need you guys to get now let’s go baby let’s go come on you get to go to places that you don’t necessarily get to go to all the time get to cut lines on certain things we work hard we play hard that’s one of the things I truly do believe in just having some balance in life want to make sure you’re enjoying the fruits of your labor otherwise why do it all you’re gonna do it goes on yeah and it lights up the whole Arena [Applause] [Music] this arena is electric right now I’m planning on coming out here and blowing the roof over this place and reminding the people who the Funkmaster is I’m definitely blessed and fortunate to be in this position I don’t take it for granted East Coast New York area major metro area to feel a little bit like a homecoming going to have some family friends in the event Long Island’s gonna pack the place out just as well as the New Jersey fans so I’m super excited to be back here at the Rock I fought here in 2015 I got to finish in the third round over my first ranked opponent I plan on doing it again May 6. hey what’s up buddy [Music] what’s up guys what’s happening a night on the town and the Very building where Sterling will soon defend his title offers added motivation for the Homegrown bantamweight King [Music] on May 6th Sterling aims to become the first Tri-State Champion to defend a UFC title in the metro area Stout Grappler feels confident facing the Olympic level wrestling of Henry sahuda thank you Henry he’s more of a folk star wrestler it’s more so takedowns but the takedowns don’t mean nothing you can’t do damage or get control I plan on exploiting that and seeing how much energy he wants to really exert trying to hold me down just got a style that’s unorthodox that Henry’s really never seen before so I think Henry coming back in a fight like this is not a good stylistic matchup phone he wants to engage in the ground that’s exactly where I want to be and I think that’s where I’m going to slice them up and do a lot of damage we’re still collecting tears all the crybabies out there tastes salty the New York metro area also known as the tri-state is the largest metropolitan region by Urban land mass on the planet long represented in MMA by New Jersey’s Frankie Edgar New York’s math serif Matt [Applause] [Music] and Long Island’s Chris Weidman Chris white ladies and gentlemen the latter two trained by head coach Ray Longo [Music] Champion for him from The Remains on Long Island with teams Sarah Longo’s Al Jermaine Sterling UFC Benton week King aljaminster [Music] Ray Longo is The Mastermind when it comes to game planning let’s do it guys you’ve been with me since my UFC debut show those knees two up the middle Al Joe we’ve had a pretty solid relationship ever since nice perfect perfect see how that knee offsets it he’s someone you could bounce ideas off of beautiful yeah round Joe perfect control yeah yeah yo well Joe even that sidekick man it’s awesome awesome keeping them against the cage for us I’m able to express what I’m seeing what I’m feeling and we can have an open honest conversation about it and tell each other what we think and what we see and what we feel if you gotta back out and hit then go again from where he’s come this is the American dream I like to read shots I was just perfect all right shrimp out shrimp out on that get that right leg under he’s defended the title a couple of times he’s just killing him the May 6 title bout with Henry suhuto that Longo and Sterling are preparing for will be one of the most special events of their careers attraction right at home in the tri-state across the Hudson River in Newark New Jersey this is a dream come true for Al Joe to be you know headlining a card on the East Coast where he grew up get ready to hit on the separation yes I expect the fans to be crazy you know he’ll have a lot of local support I think it’s great you’re going to see the most confident now Joe yeah you ain’t got it you got it Al Joe Sterling era who made my man my man it’s gonna be great to see him have the crowd behind him and go out there and beat Henry said I haven’t figured that one out I’m still trying yeah good to see you good to have everybody back in the gym I love it let’s go I’m out of here so in Mexican tradition typically you know we like to celebrate with their birthday holidays we like to pick our favorite characters whether it’s Mickey Mouse or John Cena but in this case I am picking my favorite actor aljame Sterling it’s Al Jermaine Sterling May 6th you’re done [Music] whether you think I’m corny cringy when it comes to Combat Sports I’m number one I’m just that competitor that people fear I’m about to repossess that belt look who it is if it ain’t the greatest combat coach of all time hey how’s the body Dot oh he’s moving a lot better from last week hips are moving better okay relax and punch his muscles are really responsive his neural system really explosive George holds the record at Oklahoma Big 12 champ cross country so it’s just cool to have a former athlete it’s able to work on you first hand understands the body like you wouldn’t believe so right now I’m just getting positioned that’s pretty much what he does he aligns me you know I’m constantly healing the body making sure my body is firing at all cylinders and finding every Edge that I can so I could be the best version of myself and I personally think I’m better than I was three years ago you know algeman is a tough competitor and I know I do have my hands full but uh I still do believe in my heart my wholehearted heart that I’m gonna stop him and I need a team like George and a bunch of these guys to help me get there foreign there we go it’s the return of Triple C and you see who’s trying to do something that’s never been done before in sports Sterling is my fan during this literally my fad right same thing run it hit the mat if you want to mix up your single don’t feel like you have to just run it let’s finish just single how you would finish the single and then go live once we hit the mat ready and I think that’s also gonna cost him on May 6 because I know that and I recognize and respect that he does have for me let’s go he can wrestle with you and my job is just to expose them straighten that bottom leg out if he grabs that ankle hand ring about the same time I do respect his game turn head hips hands yup but remember making everything that aljamin is gonna put out there so I’m 100 ready now where’s your head position just be here a little time [Music] with mind and body firing on all cylinders [Music] sahura was primed for a career defining performance at UFC 288 [Music] but its Lessons Learned at the Olympic levels of competition operations smoke the body that come up there do that my whole attitude at the Olympic Games was if you’re going to beat me you better kill me because I’m in this thing to kill or be killed [Music] I’m willing to do whatever it takes to work [Music] I’m not overlooking the ultimate by any means when we do fight he will see the competitor that I am [Music] and what is it that Separates Me from everybody else from the Empire State to the fight capital 135 pound champion Al Jermaine Sterling enters the Final Phase of training camp is joined by the world’s next best bantamweight number one ranked contender and longtime teammate murab devolish Villi that’ll do it seven in a row from a Rob Wallace Willie from the jaws of defeat [Music] Rob have the successes he’s been having lately has been nothing but inspiring a star making performance tonight especially knowing that we’ve been doing it side by side it worked so hard he pushes me I push him Ultraman just does not let you go anywhere long goals Al Jermaine Sterling my friend but I knew I know I tell you this man you know he’s learned from the lessons that I went through before we just yes that’s one of the best teachers learn from other people’s mistakes so that you can do better for yourself the pace of what I was really melts men and you form a featherweight King well no one has done this to Jose Aldo especially of late drop just puts you in an amazing position but also kind of an uncomfortable one because your good friend and training partner is the world champion in this weight class how would you handle a situation if you were to become the number one Contender here’s the reason why I’m here you make me flyer today please don’t ask me anymore this question we’re not inviting to each other we are brothers okay good yes you gotta fight hard here Fight Hard brother yes yes nothing nothing his break I know aljo nine years big slam big slime beautiful hooks in guys but the body shot is my main training partner and my best friend yeah yeah I don’t want to fight him and you don’t want to fight me I know people want to see the fight if you want to see us fight you can watch it in training put a level change behind that yeah I’m just a fake beautiful beautiful well the brotherly Bond May prevent Sterling and abolish feely from facing off in competition there is no love lost and trick yeah there you go as the pair readies for Sterling’s May 6 Showdown with Henry sahu I’m trying to mimic Henry like switch stance close the distance he throws punches [Music] last round algae was able to take without control me stay in control if he turns into US you go bendy down on top of him that’s what he has to do against Henry and that’s how he’s gonna win this fight [Music] [Music] I’m going with Killers right now these guys got crazy grappling special pressure on the cage control Henry’s not gonna be able to do that [Music] I’m stacking up wins and just styling on people in there so I’m ready man [Music] let’s go oh my God [Music] from the Arid destination of Las Vegas Nevada [Music] the neighboring desert city of Phoenix Arizona bantamweights prepare for battle [Music] for former 28 UFC champion Henry sahuto performing optimally at 135 pounds is a key Focus I almost set the timer for 35 minutes Guided by former NFL strength coach Matt wiedenberg that’s crazy I hooked up with Matt actually through Jon Jones brought him out to Arizona and I just started hearing him talk we’re trying to go to Ward and go to a Kill not be killed so Henry’s getting the most out of these workouts we’re not letting the workouts get the most out of Henry it’s for two more I remember one thing that he said that really changed my perspective on it it’s like Henry my workouts I stimulate I don’t annihilate hey behind shoulder shoulders there you go your body’s already being pushy and they’re made training why am I going to push it again when it comes to strength conditioning oh one two down beautiful hitter so our workouts are short they’re very specific to what he needs to do oh they’re not traditional because he’s working you see him working hard here he will not be over trained when I get his train I actually feel strong rather than me feeling like 60 they want me to give a hundred yeah working hard I’m working smart but I’m also able to peek on the days that really matter my objective is not just to win the fight I really want to showcase that I am the best 135 pounder in the world when it comes to competitors you don’t get more competitive than Henry sahuda he has a goal and it’s a lofty goal it’s to go down in history it’s the greatest Combat Sports athlete of all time mentally one of the strongest people I’ve ever seen compete it is very difficult to be a champion of the levels that Henderson Judo has been the combat sports legend Returns on May 6th for a showdown in Newark New Jersey with Hometown favorite and reigning bantamweight King Al jermainster Al Jermaine Sterling from the not too distant future may very well be able to lay claim to being the greatest bandwid of all time just amazing this kid’s a problem man well he steps in there with me he’s gonna realize like hey I’m actually fighting a guy who’s much bigger much stronger the clock is ticking it’s personal but I do want to hurt him and continues to move the finish line so that he can go chase something else and I’m gonna do whatever it takes to win let me see you though your time is coming you picked the wrong one my guy Sterling thank you