Tag: UFC News

Henry Cejudo claims he’s the UFC’s ‘flyweight savior.’ You might find it odd that Cejudo reveals the target date for a bantamweight title fight as a result.

Cejudo did just that on today’s episode of “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show,” first claiming he was the savior’ of the 125-pound division, which has been rumored to be dissolved:

.@HenryCejudo calls himself the flyweight savior of the world. Says that the division is sticking around. #HelwaniShow @arielhelwani

— MMA On Point (@OnPointMMA) March 25, 2019

But despite that talk, Cejudo isn’t backing it up by fighting in the division. The UFC is targeting a bantamweight title fight between he and Marlon Moraes after former champion TJ Dillashaw relinquished the belt due to a failed drug test.

Cejudo appears fully on board with that, telling Helwani he’s not afraid of ‘Magic’ and even wants to fight his training partner Frankie Edgar:

Henry Cejudo tells @arielhelwani that after Marlon Moraes, he's interested in facing Moraes's training partner Frankie Edgar at either featherweight or bantamweight.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) March 25, 2019

Cejudo did give some half-veiled compliments to Moraes, however, calling more dangerous stylistically than his last opponent Dillashaw was:

.@HenryCejudo calls Marlon Moraes a more dangerous fighter stylistically than TJ Dillashaw. #HelwaniShow @arielhelwani

— MMA On Point (@OnPointMMA) March 25, 2019

Finally, Cejudo revealed the target date for his proposed showdown with Moraes, citing a potential main event at June’s UFC 238 from Chicago, Illinois:

Henry Cejudo tells @arielhelwani the plan is to fight Marlon Moraes for the UFC bantamweight championship and to main event UFC 238 in Chicago on June 8th.#HelwaniShow Link:https://t.co/OV9517EvQt

— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) March 25, 2019

A rematch, this time for ‘The Viper’s’ formerly-held bantamweight title, was teased after Cejudo finished Dillashaw in January. But if his USADA violation proves to be legitimate, Cejudo said he would never fight him again:

Henry Cejudo tells @arielhelwani that he will NEVER fight T.J. Dillashaw again if his anti-doping violation turns out to be legitimate.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) March 25, 2019

The post ‘Flyweight Savior’ Henry Cejudo Reveals Target Date For Bantamweight Title Fight appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

The minute Ben Askren was signed to the UFC, he began taking Chael Sonnen’s place as the most outspoken wrestler on the UFC roster. And he has done quite an effective job. With most top fighters – especially welterweights – on his radar, it’s time Askren calls out champion Kamaru Usman.

Askren has taken to not-so-affectionately calling Usman ‘Marty’ because of his nickname during his collegiate wrestling days. Usman clearly isn’t a fan of the insult, as he confronted ‘Funky’ backstage at a recent press conference.

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ became an even bigger player in the crowded UFC welterweight title picture when he dominated former champion Tyron Woodley over the course of five rounds at UFC 235. Askren won there also, controversially defeating Robbie Lawler via submission. Most of the MMA world has called for a rematch of that bout, except Askren of course.

Straight To The Top?

He’s more focused on rocketing to the top of the division. He even claimed that matching him up against Usman next ‘makes the most sense.’ It won’t be next, but there is a legit rivalry brewing here. You need only check your social media timeline as proof. Askren called out Usman today for liking posts that trashed him while not actually saying anything directly to him:

“Marty is such a wimp and a dork. All day long he likes posts that say something bad about me, but doesn’t say shit to me. WHERES YOUR ENERGY MARTY?”

Marty is such a wimp and a dork. All day long he likes posts that say something bad about me, but doesn’t say shit to me. WHERES YOUR ENERGY MARTY? @USMAN84kg pic.twitter.com/mBy1Y1WkQQ

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) March 25, 2019

Askren is working overtime attempting to get any fight that isn’t against Lawler. He might as well go for the top of the division because he has a history with the champion.

The fact that Usman demolished Askren’s good friend Woodley only adds to the intrigue. The champ is tentatively set to face former interim champ Colby Covington in his next bout. But nothing is set after Usman underwent hernia surgery after his title-sealing victory.

If Askren can keep winning, he’ll earn a shot at Usman. He may just have to get past Lawler a second time first.

The post Ben Askren Calls Out ‘Dork’ Kamaru Usman appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.