Henry Cejudo drops flyweight belt allowing for a 125lb title fight between Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo.
Henry Cejudo has one less “C” as of now. Following a report by BJPenn.com, it appears the UFC’s double-champ (flyweight and bantamweight) has relinquished the 125lb title. That sets up a fight between Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo, the result of which will hopefully be an active flyweight champion.
The former Olympian also won gold in men’s freestyle wrestling at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. That feat combined with his UFC titles allowed him to assume the Triple C moniker.
Cejudo (15-2) shocked the world by defeating Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson last year, earning a split decision against the man considered one of the greatest fighters of all time. He defended the title once, against T.J. Dillashaw, then the UFC’s 135lb champ, who dropped to 125lbs for the opportunity. A rematch at bantamweight was expected after Cejudo knocked out Dillashaw, but Dillashaw then tested positive for EPO and received a two-year ban from competition.
Instead Cejudo faced Marlon Moraes for the vacant 135lb title, winning the belt via third-round TKO at UFC 238 this past June.
Dealing with a number of injuries, Cejudo has not fought since. And it appears the UFC decided it was finally time to get the flyweight division rolling again.
This is great news for Joseph Benavidez (28-5), a former title challenger against Johnson who holds a win over Cejudo. Despite their history, Benavidez couldn’t seem to buy a title shot against the former Olympian. Now, he’ll face Brazil’s Figueiredo (17-1), who will enter the fight on the strength of a two-fight win streak over Tim Elliott and Alexandre Pantoja.
The fight is currently in the works for UFC Norfolk in February.
