UFC 288: Sterling Vs. Cejudo Prelim And Undercard Live Results, Highlights, Recaps: Muhammad Outworks Burns In 5 Round Co-Main
The action of UFC 288, live from the Prudential Center in New Jersey, will get started at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT on UFC Fight Pass & ESPN+, with three early preliminary bouts. The early prelim show will be headlined by a heavyweight showing between Braxton Smith (5-1) and Parker Porter (13-8).
Following, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, four additional preliminary matches with air on ESPN. Capping off the prelims, Drew Dober (26-11) will square off with Matt Frevola (10-3) at 155-pounds.
Finally, at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, the ESPN PPV main card will begin, and will include five high level fights. The event will conclude with the return of Olympic gold medalist, and former two division champion, Henry Cejudo (16-2) going to war with current bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (22-3).
Prior to the bantamweight championship showdown, Belal Muhammad (22-3) will look to continue his rise in the ranks as he takes on former welterweight title challenger, and Brazilian Jiujitsu ace, Gilbert Burns (22-5).
Follow the Live Results, Recaps, and Highlights below, provided by FIGHT SPORTS
Live Results: Main Card 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ PPV
Co-Main Event: Belal Muhammad vs. Gilbert Burns – Welterweight
In this 5-round 170-pound co-main event, it was clear that Burns was dealing with an injury to his left shoulder, most likely from a botched takedown attempt in the first round. Because of this injury, Burns looked like a shell of himself inside the cage.
Muhammad took full advantage of his injured opponent, hammering Burns’ left side with punishing kicks to the arm and ribs. Furthermore, the distance control and takedown defense that Muhammad displayed seemed to be a step ahead of his one-armed opponent on this night.
With a victory tonight, Belal Muhammad now positions himself for a rematch with Leon Edwards, and a shot at the welterweight title.
it’s all love after 5 hard rounds 🤝 #UFC288 pic.twitter.com/NF8tVmihxE
— UFC (@ufc) May 7, 2023
Official Result: Belal Muhammad def. Gilbert Burns via Decision (Unanimous) – 50-45, 49-46, 49-46
Jéssica Andrade vs. Xiaonan Yan – Strawweight
Entering this 115-pound matchup as an underdog, Xiaonan Yan shocked the crowd.
She managed distance extremely well, and caught her opponent with an overhand right as Jéssica Andrade moved forward. The punch dropped Andrade to the canvas, where Xiaonan Yan delivered multiple hammer fists for good measure, prior to the referee stopping the action.
Following this victory, Xiaonan Yan will most likely be matched up to face the current strawweight champion, and fellow countrywoman, Zhang Weili for an all Chinese title fight.
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Official Result: Xiaonan Yan def. Jéssica Andrade via KO (Overhand Right and Ground Strikes) Round 1, 2:20
Movsar Evloev vs. Diego Lopes – Featherweight
This 145-pound matchup had it all, crisp striking, razor-thin submission attempts, high level wrestling, and fierce ground and pound.
Lopes showed supreme grappling, catching Evloev in an armbar, kimura and even a kneebar late in the fight, but the undefeated Russian managed to escape each time.
Additionally, Evloev out struck his opponent on the feet and delivered nasty ground strikes following his multiple takedowns.
Evloev secured the unanimous decision victory and added a 17th win to his undefeated career, while Lopes’ record moves to 21-6.
STILL UNDEFEATED 😤@MovsarUFC moves to 17-0 with the decision win at #UFC288! pic.twitter.com/2LXc6KGNzY
— UFC (@ufc) May 7, 2023
Official Result: Mosvar Evloev def. Diego Lopes via Decision (Unanimous) – 29-28, 29-28, 30-27
Kron Gracie vs. Charles Jourdain – Featherweight
Getting the PPV main card started, Canada’s Jourdain squared off with the returning Kron Gracie, who had not seen the inside of the Octagon since 2019.
Throughout all 3 rounds, Jourdain did an excellent job at striking from the outside. Gracie was able to pull guard and bring things to the ground on several occasions, in an attempt to showcase his elite grappling, but once on the ground the Canadian played a defensive game and prevented Gracie from executing any submission attempts.
By nullifying the grappling of Kron Gracie, and out striking him by a considerable margin, Charles Jourdain coasted to a unanimous decision victory.
Through this bout, Jourdain improved his record to 14-6-1, while Gracie suffered his second loss in his 7-fight professional career.
STRONG showing from @JourdainAir!
Decision up next at #UFC288 pic.twitter.com/LRN9rZ1NZi
— UFC (@ufc) May 7, 2023
Official Result: Charles Jourdain def. Kron Gracie via Decision (Unanimous) – 30-27, 30-27, 30-27
Live Results: Preliminary Card 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+
Matt Frevola def. Drew Dober via TKO (Right Hook and Ground Strikes) – Round 1, 4:08
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Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Devin Clark via Submission (Front Naked Choke) – Round 2, 2:28
Khaos Williams def. Rolando Bedoya via Decision (Split) – 27-30, 29-28, 29-28
Virna Jandiroba def. Marina Rodriguez via Decision (Unanimous) – 29-28, 29-28, 30-27
Live Results: Early Prelims 6:30 p.m. ET on UFC Fight Pass
Parker Porter def. Braxton Smith via TKO (Ground and Pound) – Round 1, 2:10
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Ikram Aliskerov def. Phil Hawes via KO (Jab-Cross) – Round 1, 2:10
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Claudio Ribeiro def. Joseph Holmes via TKO (Ground Strikes) – Round 2, 3:21
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