Henry Cejudo, born on February 9, 1987, is a renowned mixed martial artist known for his incredible achievements in wrestling and the UFC. He was born in Los Angeles, California, to Mexican immigrants and grew up as the second youngest of seven siblings. Cejudo’s family faced numerous challenges due to his father’s drug and alcohol abuse, which led to frequent relocations within the Los Angeles area. Tragically, Cejudo’s father was deported when he was just six years old and passed away when Cejudo was around 20 years old.
Inspired by his older brother Angel Cejudo, a four-time wrestling state champion in Arizona, Henry embarked on his own wrestling journey. Following in his brother’s footsteps, Henry became a four-time champion himself, achieving remarkable success both nationally and internationally. On April 15, 2006, he won the US National Championship at 55 kilograms, earning him a spot in the US World Team Trials.
Cejudo’s crowning achievement came during the 2008 Summer Olympics when he made history as the youngest American to win an Olympic Gold medal in wrestling at the age of 21. This monumental accomplishment solidified his place in wrestling history. Although his record was later broken, Cejudo’s legacy as an Olympic champion remains unparalleled.
After his wrestling career, Cejudo transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA) and embarked on a new chapter in his athletic journey. On January 30, 2013, he announced his decision to pursue a career in MMA and began training for his debut fight. Despite wrestling in the 121-pound weight class, Cejudo fought at 135 pounds in his first MMA bout, showcasing his versatility and adaptability. On March 2, 2013, he won his first MMA fight against Michael Poe, securing a victory by TKO with punches.
In 2014, Cejudo joined the prestigious Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), becoming the third Olympic gold medalist wrestler in the company’s history, following in the footsteps of Mark Schultz and Kevin Jackson. However, his journey in the UFC faced an early setback when he was unable to compete in his first scheduled fight due to medical issues on the day of the weigh-ins. UFC President Dana White presented Cejudo with a choice: move up to the bantamweight division or leave the UFC.
Cejudo persevered and made a name for himself in the flyweight division. Two years after vying for the UFC Flyweight title, he had a highly anticipated rematch with Demetrious Johnson at UFC 227 on August 4, 2018. Cejudo emerged victorious in a closely contested fight, securing the victory by split decision. With this win, he became the UFC’s second Flyweight champion and the first Olympic gold medalist to claim a UFC title.
Throughout his career, Cejudo faced numerous challenges and showcased his resilience. However, his journey was not without controversy. In 2019, his opponent TJ Dillashaw tested positive for EPO, leading to a suspension. Cejudo faced Marlon Moraes at UFC 238 for the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship on June 8, 2019, and emerged victorious with a TKO in the third round. This triumph made him the fourth fighter in UFC history to hold championships simultaneously in two weight divisions.
Cejudo’s retirement from professional fighting after his victory against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 in May 2020 shocked the MMA world. However, he made a surprising comeback to face Aljamain Sterling for the UFC Bantamweight Championship at UFC 288 on May 6, 2023. Although Cejudo narrowly lost the fight by split decision, his determination and tenacity remained evident.
Currently, Cejudo is scheduled to fight Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298 on February 17, 2024. Despite his success in the octagon, Cejudo is also known for his controversial and sometimes cringe-worthy persona during UFC press conferences, which has led fans to dub him “Triple Cringe” or “Triple C.” However, it is essential to recognize and appreciate his remarkable achievements and athletic abilities. The true meaning behind the nickname “Triple C” is triple champion, signifying his status as an Olympic gold medalist and a two-division UFC champion.
Henry Cejudo revealed in a podcast that he will give another shot at the title if he defeats Merab at UFC 298, but he loses , he will retire from the sports.
Henry Cejudo’s legacy will forever be etched in the annals of combat sports history. He will be remembered as one of the greatest fighters of all time, a true champion who defied the odds and left an indelible mark on the world of mixed martial arts.
Also read :
Weight cutting in UFC is a problem
Last 5 UFC Heavyweight Champions & Their Reigns