Henry Cejudo

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Henry Cejudo
Born (1987-02-09) February 9, 1987 (age 32)
Los Angeles, California, United States
Other namesThe Messenger
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 4 in (163 cm)[1]
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
DivisionFlyweight
Bantamweight
Reach64 in (163 cm)[2]
StyleWrestling
Fighting out ofPhoenix, Arizona, United States
TeamFight Ready
TrainerEric Albarracin[3]
RankYellow belt in Shotokan Karate[citation needed]
WrestlingOlympic gold medalist[4]
Years active2013–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins15
By knockout7
By decision8
Losses2
By knockout1
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2008 Beijing 55 kg
Wrestling World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Krasnoyarsk 55 kg
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2007 Rio de Janeiro 55 kg
Pan American Championships
Gold medal – first place 2008 Colorado Springs 55 kg
Gold medal – first place 2007 San Salvador 55 kg
Gold medal – first place 2006 Rio de Janeiro 55 kg

Henry Carlos Cejudo (born February 9, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist and former freestyle wrestler. He is currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is reigning champion of the Bantamweight and Flyweight divisions; as a freestyle wrestler, Cejudo is an Olympic gold medalist. As of August 19, 2019, he is #3 in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings.[5]

Background[edit]

Cejudo was born in Los Angeles, California USA. Both his parents were born in Mexico City, Mexico,[6] he is one of seven children.

Cejudo's parents were both illegal immigrants and he moved nearly 50 times as a child, traveling between California, New Mexico and Arizona. Cejudo also never slept alone in his own bed until he was provided one by U.S.A. Wrestling while participating in a residency program at the U.S. Olympic training facility. Henry also won the Arizona state golden gloves in boxing, [7]

Wrestling career[edit]

Inspired by his older brother Angel, who has a 4-time state champion with a record of 150 wins and zero defeats [8], Henry also became a 4-time high school state champion, his freshman and sophomore year titles were won in Arizona, before he moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to become a resident athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, he won the Colorado state high school championships as a junior and senior, and was named ASICS National High School Wrestler of the Year in 2006. In the same year, he was selected in the Wrestling USA Magazine’s Dream Team of High School All-Americans. [9]

In 2006, while still in high school, Cejudo won the USA Wrestling national freestyle championship.[10] Soon after his victory, he began full-time training at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[11]

Following successful performances at the Pan American Games and Pan American Championships, Cejudo won a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. At the time, he was the youngest Mexican-American to become an Olympic champion in freestyle wrestling.[12] After the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Cejudo took an extended break from competition, before retiring from freestyle wrestling in 2012.[13]

Mixed martial arts career[edit]

Early career[edit]

On January 30, 2013, Cejudo announced on his Twitter page that he planned to begin training for a career in MMA.[14][15] Despite wrestling at 121 pounds during his wrestling career, Cejudo fought at 135 pounds in his MMA debut,[16] he defeated Michael Poe by TKO due to punches in his MMA debut on March 2, 2013, for the Arizona-based World Fighting Federation.[17]

Over the next year, Cejudo amassed a record of 6-0 with three wins by TKO, one by submission, and two by decision. Prior to signing with the UFC, Cejudo was listed as the #1 ranked bantamweight prospect in the MMA Prospects Report 2013.[18]

Ultimate Fighting Championship[edit]

On July 25, 2014, Cejudo signed with the UFC,[19] he is the third Olympic gold medalist wrestler in company history, after Mark Schultz and Kevin Jackson.[20] Cejudo was expected to face Scott Jorgensen on August 30, 2014, at UFC 177.[21] However, due to medical issues on the day of the weigh-ins, Cejudo was forced out of the bout and the fight was subsequently canceled.[22] In light of this, and his history of missing weight, president Dana White said Cejudo had to move up to bantamweight or leave the UFC.[23]

In his eventual debut, Cejudo faced Dustin Kimura in a bantamweight bout on December 13, 2014, at UFC on Fox 13.[24] Cejudo won the fight by unanimous decision.[25]

Cejudo faced Chris Cariaso in a flyweight bout on March 14, 2015, at UFC 185,[26] he won the fight by unanimous decision.[27]

Cejudo faced Chico Camus on June 13, 2015, at UFC 188,[28] he won the fight by unanimous decision.[29]

Cejudo was briefly linked to a bout against former title challenger Joseph Benavidez on September 5, 2015, at UFC 191.[30] However, the fight did not take place at the event. In turn, Cejudo faced Jussier Formiga on November 21, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale,[31] he won the fight by split decision.[32]

On September 16, 2015, Cejudo announced that he would refuse to fight in Nevada after the Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended and fined Nick Diaz following a failed drug test at UFC 182. Cejudo cited the NSAC's process in determining Diaz's guilt as the reason for the boycott.[33] Despite the lack of change in NSAC procedure, Cejudo ended his Nevada boycott to face UFC Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson on April 23, 2016, at UFC 197 for the Flyweight title,[34] he lost the fight via TKO in the first round, being dropped with a variety of strikes.[35]

In May 2016, the UFC announced that Cejudo would be one of the coaches, opposite Joseph Benavidez on The Ultimate Fighter 24; the pairing faced each other on December 3, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale.[36][37] Cejudo lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.[38]

Cejudo was expected to face Sergio Pettis on May 13, 2017, at UFC 211.[39] However, on May 10, Cejudo pulled out of the fight with a hand injury and the bout was canceled.[40]

Cejudo faced Wilson Reis on September 9, 2017, at UFC 215,[41] he won the fight via TKO in the second round.[42] This win also won Cejudo his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[43]

A rescheduled fight with Pettis took place on December 2, 2017, at UFC 218.[44] Cejudo won the fight by unanimous decision.[45]

Double UFC Champion[edit]

Two years after challenging for the Flyweight title, Cejudo faced Demetrious Johnson in a rematch for UFC Flyweight Championship title in the co-main event at UFC 227 on August 4, 2018.[46][47] Cejudo went on to win the back-and-forth fight via split decision to become the UFC's second Flyweight champion and first Olympic gold medalist to capture UFC gold;[48] this fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[49] 13 of 25 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Cejudo, while 12 scored it for Johnson.[50]

In November 2018, Cejudo revealed that he had signed a six-fight contract with UFC.[51]

In the first defense of his UFC Flyweight Championship, Cejudo was initially scheduled to face UFC Bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw on January 26, 2019, at UFC 233.[52] However, after that pay-per-view event was canceled, the fight was moved a week earlier to headline UFC Fight Night 143 on January 19, 2019,[53][54] it was the first title fight to showcase the new UFC legacy belt. Cejudo won the fight via TKO just 32 seconds into the first round to retain his title;[55] the win also earned Cejudo his second Performance of the Night bonus award.[56] On 9 April 2019, USADA announced that Dillashaw had tested positive for EPO in pre and post-fight screenings and had been suspended for two years.[57]

Cejudo faced Marlon Moraes on June 8, 2019 at UFC 238 for the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship,[58] he won the fight via TKO in the third round.[59] This win made Cejudo the fourth fighter to hold championships simultaneously in two weight divisions in UFC, and earned him the Performance of the Night award. Cejudo became inactive until 2020 due to a shoulder injury.[60]

Championships and achievements[edit]

Mixed martial arts record[edit]

Professional record breakdown
17 matches 15 wins 2 losses
By knockout 7 1
By decision 8 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 15–2 Marlon Moraes TKO (punches) UFC 238 June 8, 2019 3 4:51 Chicago, Illinois, United States Won the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win 14–2 T.J. Dillashaw TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw January 19, 2019 1 0:32 Brooklyn, New York, United States Defended the UFC Flyweight Championship. Performance of the Night. Dillashaw tested positive in pre and post-fight drug tests for erythropoietin (EPO).
Win 13–2 Demetrious Johnson Decision (split) UFC 227 August 4, 2018 5 5:00 Los Angeles, California, United States Won the UFC Flyweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win 12–2 Sergio Pettis Decision (unanimous) UFC 218 December 2, 2017 3 5:00 Detroit, Michigan, United States
Win 11–2 Wilson Reis TKO (punches) UFC 215 September 9, 2017 2 0:25 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Performance of the Night.
Loss 10–2 Joseph Benavidez Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions Finale December 3, 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Cejudo was deducted one point in round 1 due to repeated low blows.
Loss 10–1 Demetrious Johnson TKO (knees and punches) UFC 197 April 23, 2016 1 2:49 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For the UFC Flyweight Championship.
Win 10–0 Jussier Formiga Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale: Magny vs. Gastelum November 21, 2015 3 5:00 Monterrey, Mexico UFC Flyweight title eliminator.
Win 9–0 Chico Camus Decision (unanimous) UFC 188 June 13, 2015 3 5:00 Mexico City, Mexico
Win 8–0 Chris Cariaso Decision (unanimous) UFC 185 March 14, 2015 3 5:00 Dallas, Texas, United States Return to Flyweight.
Win 7–0 Dustin Kimura Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic December 13, 2014 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Return to Bantamweight.
Win 6–0 Elias Garcia Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 27 January 31, 2014 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States Flyweight debut; Cejudo missed weight (128.5 lbs).
Win 5–0 Ryan Hollis Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 24 October 11, 2013 3 5:00 Dallas, Texas, United States Catchweight (128 lbs) bout.
Win 4–0 Miguelito Marti TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: American Dream May 18, 2013 1 1:43 Lincoln, California, United States
Win 3–0 Anthony Sessions TKO (punches) WFF 10: Cejudo v Sessions April 19, 2013 1 4:23 Chandler, Arizona, United States Won the WFF Bantamweight Championship.
Win 2–0 Sean Henry Barnett TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Battleground March 24, 2013 1 4:55 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 1–0 Michael Poe TKO (punches) WFF MMA: Pascua Yaqui Fights 4 March 2, 2013 1 1:25 Tucson, Arizona, United States

[66]

Freestyle record[edit]

World Championships & Olympic Games Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location
2008 Olympic 1st, gold medalist(s) at 55kg
Win 4-1 Japan Tomohiro Matsunaga 2-0, 3-0 August 19, 2008 2008 Summer Olympics China Beijing, China
Win 3-1 Azerbaijan Namig Sevdimov 3-5, 3-2, 4-3
Win 2-1 Georgia (country) Besarion Gochashvili 1-3, 3-2, 3-0
Win 1-1 Bulgaria Radoslav Velikov 0-1, 3-2, 4-3
2007 UWW world 31st at 55kg
Loss 0-1 Iran Taghi Dadashi 0-1, 0-4 September 17, 2007 2007 World Wrestling Championships Azerbaijan Baku, Azerbaijan

Freestyle honors[edit]

2011
  • 2nd, silver medalist(s) Henri Deglane Challenge
  • 1st, gold medalist(s) Sunkist Kids International Open
2008
  • 1st, gold medalist(s) Summer Olympics
  • 1st, gold medalist(s) Pan American Championships
  • John Smith Award as the Freestyle Wrestler of the Year[67]
2007
2006
  • 1st, gold medalist(s) Pan American Championships

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Fight Card – UFC 188 Velasquez vs. Werdum". UFC.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  2. ^ "Henry Cejudo MMA Stats".
  3. ^ Chuck Mindenhall (February 8, 2019). "Captain Eric takes a victory lap". mmafighting.com.
  4. ^ "Henry Cejudo". teamusa.org. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  5. ^ "Rankings | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  6. ^ Pugmire, Lance. "Henry Cejudo the gold medallist returns to his L.A. stomping grounds facing the toughest of tests in Demetrious Johnson - Los Angeles Times". latimes.com. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  7. ^ Bialik, Carl (August 20, 2008). "Born to Illegal Immigrants, Henry Cejudo the gold medallist Wins Gold for U.S." The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  8. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/20/sports/olympics/20cejudo.html
  9. ^ https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2018/June/01/Hall-of-Fame-biography-Henry-Cejudo-Distinguished-Member |=September 26, 2019 }}
  10. ^ "USA Wrestling – Features, Events, Results – Team USA". Team USA. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  11. ^ [1] Archived August 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ http://www.timesleader.com/sports/Cejudo_rsquo_s_freestyle_wrestling_gold_turns_out_to_be_surprise_story_of_the_day_08-20-2008.html
  13. ^ "Drehs: Cejudo retires after falling short at wrestling trials".
  14. ^ "Henry Cejudo on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  15. ^ "Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Cejudo: 'MMA, Here I Come!'". Sherdog. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  16. ^ "Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo to fight at 135 in spring MMA debut". MMAjunkie. Archived from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  17. ^ "Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Cejudo Cruises in MMA Debut at World Fighting Federation". Sherdog. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  18. ^ D.C. Ross. "Henry Cejudo : MMA Prospects Report 2013". Ranking MMA. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  19. ^ "UFC signs Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  20. ^ "UFC Olympic Gold medailst wrestlers". Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  21. ^ "Henry Cejudo Signs With the UFC, Will Meet Scott Jorgensen at UFC 177". cagepotato.com. July 25, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  22. ^ "Medical issue forces Henry Cejudo out of UFC 177 fight with Scott Jorgensen". mmajunkie.com. August 29, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  23. ^ "Former Olympian Henry Cejudo must move to 135 to continue fighting in the UFC". Sherdog.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  24. ^ Dave Doyle (October 20, 2014). "Henry Cejudo meets Dustin Kimura in UFC on FOX 13 bantamweight bout". mmafighting.com. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  25. ^ Ben Fowlkes (December 13, 2014). "UFC on FOX 13 results: Henry Cejudo outboxes Dustin Kimura for debut win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  26. ^ Staff (January 12, 2015). "Chris Cariaso-Henry Cejudo flyweight bout added to UFC 185". sherdog.com. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  27. ^ Steven Marrocco (March 14, 2015). "UFC 185 results, photos: Henry Cejudo grinds out Chris Cariaso in official flyweight debut". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  28. ^ Alex Schlinsky (April 24, 2015). "UFC 188: Henry Cejudo vs. Chico Camus official for June 13 PPV in Mexico". mmamania.com. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  29. ^ Staff (June 13, 2015). "Henry Cejudo remains undefeated with decision over Chico Camus". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved June 13, 2015.
  30. ^ Jeremy Brand (July 11, 2015). "Joseph Benavidez takes on Henry Cejudo in September". mmasucka.com. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  31. ^ José Youngs (August 17, 2015). "Henry Cejudo vs. 'Jussier' Formiga Booked for TUF Latin America 2 Finale in Mexico". themmacorner.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  32. ^ Brent Brookhouse (November 21, 2015). "UFC Fight Night 78 results: Henry Cejudo gets strange split decision over Jussier Formiga". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  33. ^ Adam Guillen Jr (September 16, 2015). "Henry Cejudo refuses to fight in Nevada in wake of Nick Diaz suspension". mmamania.com. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  34. ^ Tristen Critchfield (February 6, 2016). "Demetrious Johnson to defend flyweight crown vs. Henry Cejudo at UFC 197". sherdog.com. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  35. ^ Dave Doyle (April 23, 2016). "UFC 197 results: Demetrious Johnson steamrolls Henry Cejudo". mmafighting.com. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  36. ^ Tristen Critchfield (May 11, 2016). "Joseph Benavidez, Henry Cejudo to serve as coaches on 'The Ultimate Fighter 24'". sherdog.com. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  37. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (May 11, 2016). "Flyweights to be featured on The Ultimate Fighter Season 24". ufc.com. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  38. ^ Brett Okamoto (December 3, 2016). "Joseph Benavidez edges Henry Cejudo at TUF 24 Finale". espn.com. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  39. ^ Damon Martin (March 7, 2017). "Henry Cejudo vs. Sergio Pettis joins stacked UFC 211 line up". foxsports.com. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  40. ^ Ariel Helwani (May 10, 2017). "UFC 211's Sergio Pettis vs. Henry Cejudo fight canceled". mmafighting.com. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  41. ^ Ken Rodney (June 7, 2017). "Reis, Cejudo and Moras, Evans-Smith added to UFC 216 card". tsn.ca. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  42. ^ "UFC 215 results: Henry Cejudo blasts out Wilson Reis". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  43. ^ "UFC 215 bonuses: Cejudo, Stephens among $50K winners". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  44. ^ Ariel Helwani (September 27, 2017). "Henry Cejudo vs. Sergio Pettis targeted for UFC 218". mmafighting.com. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  45. ^ "UFC 218 results: Henry Cejudo outwrestles Sergio Pettis for scorecard sweep". MMAjunkie. December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  46. ^ "Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo 2 booked for UFC 227". MMA Fighting. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  47. ^ "Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo 2 booked for UFC 227". MMA Fighting. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  48. ^ Ballentine, Alex. "Henry Cejudo Defeats Demetrious Johnson by Split Decision at UFC 227". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  49. ^ "UFC 227 bonuses: Champs Dillashaw, Cejudo among $50,000 winners in Los Angeles". MMAjunkie. August 5, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  50. ^ "Cejudo def. Johnson". mmadecisions.com. August 5, 2018.
  51. ^ Adam Guillen Jr. (November 12, 2018). "UFC 233: Henry Cejudo doesn't rule out move to ONE Championship after stopping TJ Dillashaw". mmamania.com.
  52. ^ "UFC 233: Henry Cejudo vs TJ Dillashaw flyweight title fight official for Jan. 26 in Anaheim". MMAmania.com. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  53. ^ "Henry Cejudo vs. T.J. Dillashaw flyweight title fight official for UFC 233 in Anaheim". MMAjunkie. November 27, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  54. ^ "UFC 233: Henry Cejudo vs TJ Dillashaw flyweight title fight official for Jan. 19 in Anaheim". MMAmania.com. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  55. ^ Dave Doyle (January 20, 2019). "UFC Brooklyn results: Henry Cejudo stops T.J. Dillashaw in 32 seconds". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  56. ^ Tristen Critchfield (January 20, 2019). "UFC Brooklyn bonuses: Donald Cerrone pockets $100K in successful lightweight return". Sherdog.com. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  57. ^ "USADA suspends Dillashaw 2 years for EPO use". ESPN.com. April 9, 2019.
  58. ^ "Henry Cejudo vs. Marlon Moraes official for UFC 238". MMA Junkie. March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  59. ^ a b "UFC 238 results: Henry Cejudo TKOs Marlon Moraes to win second title". MMA Junkie. June 9, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  60. ^ a b "UFC 238 bonuses: Tony Ferguson, 'Cowboy' Cerrone get a clear 'Fight of Night' winner". MMA Junkie. June 9, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  61. ^ Steven Marrocco (January 2, 2019). "MMAjunkie's 2018 'Upset of the Year': Henry Cejudo dethrones mighty Demetrious Johnson". mmajunkie.com.
  62. ^ "MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for June: A wild comeback with historic consequences". mmajunkie.com. July 3, 2019.
  63. ^ Mike Chiappetta (January 6, 2019). "MMA Fighting's 2018 Upset of the Year: Henry Cejudo ends Demetrious Johnson's epic reign". mmafighting.com.
  64. ^ Jeff Cain (January 11, 2019). "2018 Upset of the Year: Henry Cejudo's Win Over Demetrious Johnson". mmaweekly.com.
  65. ^ DNA, MMA. "MMA DNA UFC Awards 2018 : De Uitslagen!!!". Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  66. ^ Sherdog.com. "Henry". Sherdog. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  67. ^ Abbott, Gary (June 8, 2009). "Cejudo named 2008 John Smith Award winner, as USA Wrestling's Freestyle Wrestler of the Year". USA Wrestling. TheMat.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.

External links[edit]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Demetrious Johnson 		2nd UFC Flyweight Champion
August 4, 2018 – present 		Incumbent
Preceded by
T.J. Dillashaw 		7th UFC Bantamweight Champion Incumbent
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