Tag: Henry Cejudo

Demetrious Johnson believes Henry Cejudo beat Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288, admits he ‘Dropped the ball’

demetrious johnsonReigning One flyweight champion and former UFC champion, Demetrious Johnson discusses henry Cejudo’s recent unsuccessful title bid. UFC bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling earned arguably the biggest win of his career when he fended off former two-division ruler, Cejudo. However, the bout was a close one and the two combatants shared success throughout the 25-minute contest. […]

demetrious johnson

Reigning One flyweight champion and former UFC champion, Demetrious Johnson discusses henry Cejudo’s recent unsuccessful title bid.

UFC bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling earned arguably the biggest win of his career when he fended off former two-division ruler, Cejudo. However, the bout was a close one and the two combatants shared success throughout the 25-minute contest. While the decision was no robbery, some did feel that Cejudo should have gotten the nod, one of which was his former foe turned training partner, Johnson.

Demetrious Johnson weighs in on Henry Cejudo’s performance.

Talking on The MMA Hour, Johnson discussed the recent title fight, and while he still scored the fight for Cejudo after a rewatch also feels that at some points he ‘dropped the ball’.

“I do [still think Cejudo won],” Johnson said. “I can see how they gave it to Aljo. I haven’t talked to Henry about it yet. I don’t want to give away the things I think.

“I thought [Cejudo won] 3-2, but looking back, going into final round, I had it tied, two for Henry, two for Aljo, and I felt like Henry did enough. That’s the thing though, I’m judging it off my feelings, ONE Championship [rules], because there were times where — I’ll say this, Aljo does a great job, he did an amazing job. I didn’t account for his wrestling, for Aljo to get him down like that. I know Aljo is a better grappler than Henry, because he got his back, tried to get the hooks in, right?” (H/T MMAFighting)

Talking more specifically, Johnson believed that Cejudo didn’t take advantage of Sterling staying grounded after attempting takedowns.

“The thing that Aljo did good, he would shoot, Henry would defend it, then Aljo would stay there,” Johnson said.

“For me, I have nothing but love for Aljo, nothing but respect. He does a good job of utilizing that — he shoots, Henry stuffs it, he stays down there. He never got punished for that. That’s where Henry kind of dropped the ball. He should have either circled behind him or [stuffed him down], shuck him by, and whatnot. That’s my opinion.”

Demetrious Johnson on The MMA Hour

Do you agree with Demetrious Johnson’s assessment?

Sean O’Malley says Henry Cejudo ‘Lucked out’ by not having to fight him: ‘I would have loved to sleep him’

Sean O'Malley Henry Cejudo lucky did not have to fight him UFC I would have slept himSean O’Malley was disappointed to see Aljamain Sterling secure a split decision victory over Henry Cejudo earlier this month. The former two-division champion made his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 288, challenging reigning bantamweight titleholder Aljamain Sterling in the evening’s main event. Despite a valiant effort, Cejudo came up short on two of […]

Sean O'Malley Henry Cejudo lucky did not have to fight him UFC I would have slept him

Sean O’Malley was disappointed to see Aljamain Sterling secure a split decision victory over Henry Cejudo earlier this month.

The former two-division champion made his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 288, challenging reigning bantamweight titleholder Aljamain Sterling in the evening’s main event. Despite a valiant effort, Cejudo came up short on two of the judges’ scorecards, setting the stage for a matchup between ‘Funk Master’ and the No. 2 ranked contender, Sean O’Malley.

Speaking with Ariel Helwani, O’Malley admitted that he would prefer to have faced Henry Cejudo for the bantamweight title, but in the end, ‘Triple C’ lucked out by not having to step inside the Octagon with him.

“I think Henry lucked out,” O’Malley said on The MMA Hour. “He got lucky he lost that fight because I do believe I would have put Henry’s lights out. He stands there with his chin up. I’m sure you saw Conor [McGregor’s] tweet and stuff, that was absolutely hilarious because Henry, he thinks he’s just this—He has a good résumé, he’s really good, don’t get me wrong, but he thinks he invented play sparring. He thinks he’s just this guy that is the incredible guy, it’s just annoying. So I would have loved to sleep that dude.

“He walks out there with his chin up, he fights like he’s 6-foot-3, he’s not. He fights like he’s a tall guy and you think being as smart as he is he would have a little bit better style, but I was just fired up in there.”

The Conor McGregor tweet mentioned by Sean O’Malley featured the Irish superstar mocking Cejudo while celebrating Aljamain Sterling’s victory. In true McGregor style, the post was deleted shortly after, but not before ‘Triple C’ had an opportunity to issue a response saying McGregor “don’t got sh*t on my résumé.”

Sean O’Malley Believes Henry Cejudo Beat Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288

Though he believes Henry Cejudo did enough to win the fight, Sean O’Malley was critical of the Olympic gold medalist’s performance, specifically noting his awkward stance just as McGregor did.

“He did well, I honestly thought he had won the fight, but it’s just like, maybe ‘Captain’ [Eric Albarracin] told him to stand like that?’ O’Malley said. “I don’t know if he thought of it himself, but for someone that speaks so highly of themselves, you think he would have a little bit better style being his kind of build.”

Sean O’Malley sees a fight with Henry Cejudo as a more lucrative opportunity, but with Sterling’s win at UFC 288, he believes that could have raised the bantamweight champion’s stock enough to generate some series pay-per-view buys when the two eventually meet inside the Octagon.

“I think [Cejudo is the bigger money fight], but now that Aljo beat Henry, me vs. Aljo is still a really big fight,” O’Malley said. “I think me vs. Henry is a little bit bigger fight, but not much difference. Those guys are similar draws. I’m very curious what the pay-per-views did for this fight. I think me vs. Aljo could double it—Or I could double it, sorry.”

According to Cejudo’s coach Eric Albarracin, UFC 288 scored an estimated 700,000 pay-per-view buys.

While his next matchup will undoubtedly be against Aljamain Sterling for the 135-pound crown later this year, Sean O’Malley hopes that the door remains open for a potential showdown with Henry Cejudo.

“You can’t tell me you wouldn’t like to punch him in the face,” O’Malley said. “He’s just got that face. That big head, short arms, short legs, he’s 5-foot-4, he fights with his chin higher than—I don’t know, there’s just something about Henry I would have loved to smack him.

“Who knows, maybe somewhere down the line somewhere if he doesn’t quit again, then we can make that happen.”

Henry Cejudo calls for August fight with Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 292: ‘I want his head on a plate’

Henry Cejudo calls for fight with Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 292 I want his head on a plateDespite initially flirting with a potential retirement from mixed martial arts competition off the back of his UFC 288 loss to Aljamain Sterling over the course of the weekend, Henry Cejudo has now switched focus to a fight with Sterling’s teammate, #1 ranked contender, Merab Dvalishvili for a UFC 292 card on August 19.  Cejudo, […]

Henry Cejudo calls for fight with Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 292 I want his head on a plate

Despite initially flirting with a potential retirement from mixed martial arts competition off the back of his UFC 288 loss to Aljamain Sterling over the course of the weekend, Henry Cejudo has now switched focus to a fight with Sterling’s teammate, #1 ranked contender, Merab Dvalishvili for a UFC 292 card on August 19. 

Cejudo, a former undisputed bantamweight and flyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, headlined UFC 288 last weekend in a title showdown with 135lbs champion, Sterling, suffering a split decision (47-48, 48-47, 47-48) loss to the Uniondale native in his retirement snapping Octagon return.

Initially flirting with a second mixed martial arts retirement in the immediate aftermath of his loss to Sterling, Cejudo claimed that if he could not make history, he would likely hang up his gloves from competition again.

“Congrats to @funkmastermma (Aljamain Sterling) on a competitive fight,” Henry Cejudo tweeted. “My goal was to finish Aljo, and I fell short. What’s next? If I can’t make history, then I’m not doing this sh*t. I’m addicted to gold and climbing mountains. All I can say is – stay tuned.”

Henry Cejudo calls for summer Octagon return against Merab Dvalishvili

However, hours later, the Olympic gold medalist appears to have experienced a change of heart, offering to fight Dvalishvili at UFC 292 in August – with Boston, Massachusetts currently targeted to host the pay-per-view event.

“This sh*t is far from over!” Henry Cejudo tweeted. “@danawhite I want @MerabDvalishvil (Merab Dvalishvili) head on a plate! #UFCBoston.” 

Attempting to work his way back to a title offing it appears, Cejudo and Dvalishvili would likely serve as a backup fight to an expected bantamweight title fight between champion, Aljamain Sterling, and expected incoming title challenger, Sean O’Malley – who are earmarked to fight later this year. 

Conor McGregor’s grappling blasted amid USADA rift: ‘You can’t even submit a clean urine sample’

Conor McGregor grappling criticized amid USADA rift you can't event submit a clean urine sampleFormer duel-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor has been blasted by fellow former gold holder, Henry Cejudo off the back of their tense back-and-forth over the weekend – with the latter pointing to the Dubliner’s uncertain argument with anti-doping agency, USADA, as well as his apparent lacking grappling ability. McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight […]

Conor McGregor grappling criticized amid USADA rift you can't event submit a clean urine sample

Former duel-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor has been blasted by fellow former gold holder, Henry Cejudo off the back of their tense back-and-forth over the weekend – with the latter pointing to the Dubliner’s uncertain argument with anti-doping agency, USADA, as well as his apparent lacking grappling ability.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the promotion, has yet to return to the Octagon since headlining UFC 264 back in July of 2021.

Suffering a fractured left tibia and fibula in the main event slot, Conor McGregor suffered an opening round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to arch-rival, Dustin Poirier – succumbing to a second consecutive loss for the first time in his professional mixed martial arts career.

Expected to make a UFC return before the end of this year in an earmarked welterweight fight with fellow The Ultimate Fighter 31 coach, Michael Chandler, McGregor poked fun at Cejudo’s unsuccessful bid to reclaim bantamweight gold at UFC 288 over the weekend.

Siding with current undisputed bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling, Crumlin striker, McGregor offered some coaching advice to Olympic gold medalist, Cejudo – having claimed he looked like a “stripper” during his main event return.

Henry Cejudo hits out at Conor McGregor off the back of his UFC 288 defeat

Now taking aim at McGregor in response, Cejudo both mocked the ex-two-weight champion’s grappling ability, and questioned if he was a clean athlete amid continued speculation. 

“Hey @TheNotoriousMMA (Conor McGregor) your grappling is so bad you can’t event submit a clean urine sample. I’ve seen more intimidating men on a can of Bud Light,” Henry Cejudo tweeted. 

Without a victory since headlining UFC 246 back in January 2020, McGregor’s most recent win came in the form of a 40-second TKO stoppage of former lightweight title challenger and incoming UFC Hall of Fame inductee, Donald Cerrone at the welterweight limit in a main event clash. 

Henry Cejudo flirts with retirement amid UFC 288 loss: ‘If I can’t make history, I’m not doing this sh*t’

Henry Cejudo retirement UFC 288 If i can't make history I'm not doing this sh*tFormer undisputed UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion, Henry Cejudo has once again flirted with a potential second retirement from professional mixed martial arts competition, off the back of a split decision defeat against current undisputed bantamweight best, Aljamain Sterling in his Octagon return over the weekend. Cejudo, a former duel-weight champion and Olympic gold medalist […]

Henry Cejudo retirement UFC 288 If i can't make history I'm not doing this sh*t

Former undisputed UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion, Henry Cejudo has once again flirted with a potential second retirement from professional mixed martial arts competition, off the back of a split decision defeat against current undisputed bantamweight best, Aljamain Sterling in his Octagon return over the weekend.

Cejudo, a former duel-weight champion and Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling, snapped a three-year retirement from MMA over the course of the weekend, headlining UFC 288 against Uniondale native, Sterling in Newark, New Jersey. 

Dropping a close, competitive split decision (48-47, 47-48, 47-48) defeat to the Serra-Longo MMA staple, Cejudo remained immediately coy on his fighting future in the sport.

“I just don’t know Joe (Rogan), I just don’t know,” Henry Cejudo said following UFC 288. “You tell me. It was close but Aljamain (Sterling) did his jo, he got the victory. It sucks man. I hate losing but it’s also been three years. I just don’t know where to take it from here, Joe. I’m a little confused right now. Whether I continue, it’s like Ricky Bobby, if I’m not first, I’m last. If I can’t beat Alja, my biggest goal was to go to 145 pounds. If I can’t get the victory over him then I just know where that puts me.”

Henry Cejudo uncertain on future following UFC 288 decision defeat

Addressing his fighting future once again on his official Twitter account, Los Angeles-born wrestler, Cejudo claimed that if he can’t “make history”, he would likely consider a second retirement from the sport.

“Congrats to @funkmastermma (Aljamain Sterling) on a competitive fight,” Henry Cejudo tweeted. “My goal was to finish Aljo, and I fell short. What’s next? If I can’t make history, then I’m not doing this sh*t. I’m addicted to gold and climbing mountains. All I can say is – stay tuned.” 

Brandon Moreno calls for Henry Cejudo to halt retirement following UFC 288: ‘F*ck belts, just you and me’

Brandon Moreno calls for fight with Henry Cejudo no retirement following UFC 288 f*ck beltsUndisputed flyweight champion, Brandon Moreno has urged former duel-weight champion, Henry Cejudo to refrain from a potential second retirement from mixed martial arts following last night’s bantamweight title challenge loss, offering to settle their rivalry at 135lbs in a main event clash in Mexico City. Moreno, the current undisputed flyweight champion, is himself slated to […]

Brandon Moreno calls for fight with Henry Cejudo no retirement following UFC 288 f*ck belts

Undisputed flyweight champion, Brandon Moreno has urged former duel-weight champion, Henry Cejudo to refrain from a potential second retirement from mixed martial arts following last night’s bantamweight title challenge loss, offering to settle their rivalry at 135lbs in a main event clash in Mexico City.

Moreno, the current undisputed flyweight champion, is himself slated to co-headline UFC 290 in July during International Fight Week – taking on past opponent, Brazilian contender, Alexandre Pantoja in their championship rematch. 

As for Cejudo, the Olympic gold medalist snapped his three-year Octagon retirement last night in the main event of UFC 288, suffering a close, split decision (48-47, 47-48, 47-48) loss to defending gold holder, Sterling at the Prudential Center.

Weighing up his fighting future off the back of his championship fight loss, Cejudo remained coy on the topic of him competing professionally once again.

“I just don’t know Joe (Rogan), I just don’t know,” Henry Cejudo said following UFC 288. “You tell me. It was close but Aljamain (Sterling) did his jo, he got the victory. It sucks man. I hate losing but it’s also been three years. I just don’t know where to take it from here, Joe. I’m a little confused right now. Whether I continue, it’s like Ricky Bobby, if I’m not first, I’m last. If I can’t beat Alja, my biggest goal was to go to 145 pounds. If I can’t get the victory over him then I just know where that puts me.”

Brandon Moreno calls for bantamweight clash against Henry Cejudo after UFC 290 return

Offered a lifeline to a potential bantamweight title siege in the future once more, Cejudo has been called out by rival, Brandon Moreno – who has offered to meet him at 135lbs in a bid to settle their grudge.

“@henry_cejudo don’t retire yet, please wait for me,” Brandon Moreno posted on Instagram. “I’m going to win my fight in July [at UFC 290] and then we can finish business, main event in Mexico City. I go to 135lbs, f*ck belts, just you and me in the Octagon.”