WHILST boxing has Muhammad Ali forever labelled as its Greatest Of All Time, mixed martial arts’ own GOAT debate rages on featuring a handful of athletes from its mere three decades of action.

Henry Cejudo is in that conversation and at UFC 288 this weekend he can add another fighting first to his Great debate candidacy.

Already a member of the Octagon’s elite two-belt club, having reigned simultaneously as flyweight and bantamweight champion, the Los Angeles native is also the only athlete in history to win Olympic gold and a UFC title.

This weekend, aged 36, he can make history again by becoming the first fighter over the age of 35 to lift UFC gold in the lighter weight classes when he challenges for his old 135lb belt.

TIME WAITS FOR NOBODY

Speed and reflexes from fast twitch muscles are traditionally hallmarks of fighting’s elite champions in lighter weight classes. Traits akin to age.

Current champion Aljamain Sterling boasts these in abundance. At 33 he’s peaking as an athlete and produced the best performances of his career over the past three years – time in which Cejudo has been quasi-retired from the sport.

Back-to-back victories over thumbnail champion Petr Yan followed a career-best first round submission of top contender Cory Sandhagen. And in October he solidified his reign by blasting former champ TJ Dillashaw into retirement.

Critics will highlight the disqualification of Yan in their first matchup and the pre-fight shoulder injury that cost Dillashaw dearly as significant factors in both those wins. But there’s still no getting away from the fact Sterling’s current eight-fight win streak is the most impressive of his 22-3 career.

Activity is essential in a sport that evolves as quickly as MMA. Only very special athletes like Georges St Pierre and more recently Jon Jones have been able to jump back in following sabbaticals with championship success.

However, that’s the GOAT level Cejudo believes he’s at and all the noise coming out of his training base in Arizona is that the 16-2 veteran is performing better than ever.

But it’s one thing grinding on the mats and another thing altogether competing at the same level and tempo under the bright lights as when you’re careering towards 40.

We know what version of Sterling we are going to get inside the Octagon in New Jersey in the small hours of Sunday morning: the very best version.

Fast, elusive, confident and electric, Aljo’s striking has almost caught up with his elite grappling and submission game making him highly dangerous for anybody at 135lb.

But Cejudo isn’t just any body. He’s a Hall of Famer and whilst his body may be slowing down his fight IQ is one of the most astute in all of MMA. He knows exactly what he’s coming back into.

With a similar 50% finish rate, the champion mostly by submissions and the challenger solely via strikes, there’s a strong chance this fight goes early and either way.

But more likely is a decision from the judges after Cejudo’s more impactful striking tips the bulk of the rounds in his favour to sees him reclaim his throne and demands on GOAT status.

TIP: Cejudo on Points (21/10)