“The clown show is over” – Aljamain Sterling opens up on Henry Cejudo’s retirement and future

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Aljamain Sterling took a shot at Henry Cejudo’s gimmick but praised him for being a top fighter

Henry Cejudo retiring from the UFC has opened up the Bantamweight division with Aljamain Sterling keen on lifting the title.

The Funk Master will be in action at UFC 250 against Cory Sandhagen but was asked about Cejudo. Triple C retired from the business, but many believe this is a tactic to get a better deal from the UFC.

Aljamain Sterling is one of the rising stars in the UFC
Aljamain Sterling takes a moment against Takeya Mizugaki before their bantamweight bout during a UFC Fight Night event (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)

Ariel Helwani hosted Sterling on his MMA show and asked the American if he believed Cejudo was out for good:

“For now. I do think he is retired, for now, I think if they make him a good offer or a big fight comes up and maybe even a big card, maybe Cejudo decides to come back and put on a super fight.

“Him coming back as the former champion taking on the current champion, which would be nice if its me. But we will see.”

Henry Cejudo vs Dominick Cruz was one of the top fights at UFC 249
Henry Cejudo (L) of the United States knees Dominick Cruz (R) of the United States in their bantamweight title. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Good riddance

Helwani also asked Sterling about Cejudo and all that he had achieved. Cejudo did have a bit of a questionable character in the UFC with his whole Triple C gimmick, and Sterling took a shot at that:

“I say good riddance. Good riddance, the clown show is over.”

However, the 30-year-old claimed that Triple C is an exceptional talent, but wasn’t happy with all that was going in the division.

“Henry’s a tough dude, I respect him a lot and everything he has accomplished but him being out of the picture makes it a little easier for the division to kind of get going again, but they kept Aldo in the mix after coming off a loss for the title, which puts us back in limbo again.”

Henry Cejudo announced his retirement after defeating Dominick Cruz at UFC 249
Henry Cejudo celebrates after defeating Dominick Cruz in their bantamweight title fight during UFC 249 (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Sterling also claimed that having a tournament to decide the Bantamweight champion would have been great, and he would be open to Cejudo returning.

“I would love to welcome him if he comes back, if he decides to come back.”

Sterling can put his name into the hat for the vacant title by defeating Sandhagen. However, Sandhagen is in great form too and has lost just one fight in his MMA career.

The 30-year-old is on a four-fight win streak, and this should be one of the best fights on the card at UFC 250.

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