Henry Cejudo will get a second crack at flyweight and pound-for-pound king Demetrious Johnson later this year.
With Joseph Benavidez faltering at UFC 225 in Chicago on Saturday (Sergio Pettis edged past him via split decision), the next flyweight title contender is clear. That said, it appears the UFC already had their mind made up. The promotion announced Saturday, during the UFC 225 early prelims, that champion Demetrious Johnson would face Henry Cejudo for the second time, at UFC 227 later this Summer.
Another rematch heads to the City of Angels.
🏆 @MightyMouseUFC defends the belt vs @HenryCejudo. #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/5iupRSQ5bt
— UFC (@ufc) June 9, 2018
Johnson (27-2-1) has not lost since 2011, with his only blemish since then being a draw to Ian McCall in 2012, in the flyweight tournament that led to ‘Mighty Mouse’ being crowned champ. Last time out, Johnson defeated Ray Borg to earn sole possession of the UFC’s title defense record. The 125lb king has been on the shelf since then, however, dealing with injuries and a lack of contenders in the weight class.
While Sergio Pettis represents a new name, it’s Cejudo, however, that will get the next crack at gold. The Olympic gold medalist lost back-to-back fights against Johnson (for the title) and Benavidez in 2016, but bounced back last year with a paid of wins. Those acme over the aforementioned Pettis, and former title challenger Wilson Reis.
UFC 227 takes place August 4, 2018, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. TJ Dillashaw meets Cody Garbrandt that night to bantamweight gold, which could set up a fight between the two champs later down the line, depending on how things play out.
