Now that Henry Cejudo has disposed of Marlon Moraes and captured his second title in as many weight classes, thanks to an emphatic victory at UFC 238 last weekend in Chicago, “The Messenger” has earned the right to pick and choose his spots.
“I feel like I’m the face of the UFC now and I want to get paid like one,” Cejudo said at the UFC 238 post-fight press conference (watch it here). “I want big fights. I’m on a legend rampage. Dominick Cruz, you guys wouldn’t like Dominick Cruz versus Henry Cejudo? Doesn’t that sound exciting?”
Cejudo also expressed interest in fighting Urijah Faber and Cody Garbrandt.
As you might expect, that didn’t sit too well with some of the division’s top contenders, like the 13-1 Petr Yan, who also left “The Windy City” with a victory. “No Mercy” rolled over Jimmie Rivera on the pay-per-view (PPV) main card and wants his crack at the crown.
“Maybe he just wants to fight the old guys,” Yan said, also at last weekend’s presser. “I’m young, hungry, 26 years-old, and I’m eager to take this opportunity to fight for the belt. I want to have two belts on my shoulder, too.”
Winning the title and then fighting the old guard was something that put a dent in Michael Bisping’s short-lived title reign. First he took on Dan Henderson, who was 46 at the time, then battled 36 year-old Georges St-Pierre, after “Rush” jumped up from the welterweight division.
Sadly, neither Cejudo nor Yan have considered a fight against Aljamain Sterling, who turned away Pedro Munhoz at UFC 238, or the flyweight winner of Jussier Formiga vs. Joseph Benavidez, set for later this month in Minneapolis.
“I watched (Aljamain) Sterling’s (win over Pedro Munhoz), and with all due respect, I was not impressed at all,” Yan said (via MMA Junkie). “I would beat him and the champion (Henry Cejudo) in one night.”
UFC matchmakers certainly have their work cut out for them.