UFC 238 – Henry Cejudo Stops Moraes, Earns Third Gold- “Bantamweight” Championship
BY Scottie “The Context” White
Mexican American Henry Cejudo journey has been truly amazing. Raised in a rugged upbringing, Cejudo parents who were undocumented immigrants actively relocating dozen of times in a household with several siblings in tow. The rigors of his travels were definitely life lessons, those intangibles which essentially foundation his inner resilience to prepare him for the challenges forthcoming. Through all of it, his pathway led his competitive compass to the athletics of wrestling. Cejudo mat time would blossom to an incredible run as a full time wrestler up to the front door of the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado.
Wrestling Resume- Freestyle wrestling
Pan American Championships 2006 Rio de Janeiro 2007 San Salvado 2008 Colorado Springs Pan American Games 2007 Rio de Janeiro Wrestling World Cup 2007 Krasnoyarsk Olympic Games 2008 Beijing
Cejudo rise wasn’t without the tribulations as any competitor striving to be the best. Once Cejudo signed with the UFC, his very first bout he missed weight terribly to the disappointment of MMA enthusiast but did mentioned it was an adverse reaction from a taco delicacy. The remediated offense summoned president Dana White to warn Cejudo with an ultimatum to contend at a weight class higer in bantamweight or leave the UFC all together. He would push forward retaining his undefeated mma record while disbursing his reputable compeers Chris Cariaso, Jussier Formiga, and challenging his first title bout verse UFC Flyweight king Demetrious Johnson (19-2-1) April 23, 2016 -UFC 197.
FIRST TITLE FIGHT FIRST ROUND STOPPAGE
Cejudo stepped in the cage with arguably one of the best strikers in the world and pound-4-pound high ranking respectfully . Cejudo would challenge Johnson who was battle ready to defend his title for an eight stanza. The fight would end early for Cejudo at 2:49 in the first-round to marker his first lose in the cage. Then Cejudo would suffer a riveting second lose his next outing verse top rank contender Joe Benavidez (21-4-0) then wheels off two straight victories for another championship birth against the only fighter to defeat him. Several months past outside of two years, Cejudo would would get his second championship shot at Johnson to battle five blistering rounds, displaying a poised refreshment as he served up precision punch-kick combinations, bezel take downs and a form fitting clinch game once he close the gap. An extremely sharp Cejudo sizzled to the final bell as the scoring judges favored Cejudo in a split decision victory – ANDNEW Flyweight champion bellowed to the cheers of the approving fans
FLYWEIGHT v BANTAMWEIGHT Championship for “SUMPREMACY”
Cejudo daring to be great, would answered the call to face bantamweight three-time division champion TJ Dillishaw who himself was shining as the brightest superstar on his current title reign. Both Cejudo and Dillishaw inked for a champion verse champion supremacy campaign for the Flyweight title. Cejudo would spark the chin of Dillishaw in a 32-second decimation, the knock out sent jawlines in attendance crashing to the floor, hands over mouth and phones fully zoomed in to this shocking eye-popping frame. Cejudo would retain his title which was the single strap in the lottery that night.
Relishing in the glory as he should, Cejudo would hear that his compeer Dillashaw violated substance abuse policy and would later vacate his bantamweight belt. What does this say exactly? It meant now a future clash was on the horizon to draw in lethal contender Marlon Moraes, a fighter who powered up off three strait knock out wins of Aljamain Sterling, Jimmie Rivera, Raphael Assuncao, oh yes, he’s a savage leg kicking punisher.
INKED! UFC 238 – Henry Cejudo (14-2-0) v. Marlon Moraes (22-5-1) five-rounds, for the vacant bantamweight championship
CEJUDO STATS –
| Finish Rate | 42.9% |
|---|---|
| Finished Rate | 50.0% |
| Win by Decision Rate | 57.1% |
| Loss by Decision Rate | 50.0% |
| Win by KO Rate | 35.7% |
| Loss by KO Rate | 50.0% |
| Win by SUB Rate | 7.1% |
| Loss by SUB Rate | 0.0% |
Win Method
- KO/TKO (5)
- SUB (1)
- DEC (8)
Loss Method
- KO/TKO (1)
- DEC (1)
MORAES STATS-
| Finish Rate | 72.7% |
|---|---|
| Finished Rate | 80.0% |
| Win by Decision Rate | 27.3% |
| Loss by Decision Rate | 20.0% |
| Win by KO Rate | 45.5% |
| Loss by KO Rate | 40.0% |
| Win by SUB Rate | 27.3% |
| Loss by SUB Rate | 40.0% |
Win Method
- KO/TKO (10)
- SUB (6)
- DEC (6)
Loss Method
- KO/TKO (2)
- SUB (2)
- DEC (1)
ROUND-1
Fighters close distance, Moraes would light up the lead leg of Cejudo early forcing him to shorten his stance early on. Cejudo use his space well blitz in behind his punch combinations but met with fast swift counters from Moraes. The legs kicks of Moraes are landing like Louisville sluggers to the lead leg of Cejudo who shake them off to close out the first.
ROUND-2
Moraes and Cejudo in a furious exchange on the inside. Cejudo shoots a pair of uppercuts that is return from Moraes. Now it’s a shift from Cejudo using his clinch technique to blast the mid drift of Moraes with four numbing knees straight up the middle. Moraes beginning to break as he shoves Cejudo back firing off a high right head kick partially blocked by Cejudo.
ROUND-3 STOPPAGE BY CEJUDO
Cejudo reengage to that strong Muay Thai clinch landing some brutish knees. He’s on diesel right now, just another level of striking authority from Cejudo. A failed take down from Moraes lands him in a North-South position, Cejudo cinches in a tight front side Anaconda choke into a gator roll. Cejudo keeps the top position and advance to more dominate position landing a flurry of punches up top to the jaw of Moraes. He did not have an answer as his head bounced off the canvas. Referee calls the contest at 4:51 in the third frame. What an incredible performance in a thrilling test of technical diligence, seeing both fighters cup runneth over with tenacious grit to page a memorable mano y mano test of striking authority.
WINNER – Henry Cejudo (14-2-0) Forth Two-division champion in UFC history.
Mix Martial Arts across the global lea was treated to a combat mastery this past weekend. The adjustments made was a testament in the evolution of training for all-around striking dominance with the tactical geniuses to have a Plan B, C, D to conquer the battle and the war. Wow, a special metric indeed for those calibrated athletes who are sponges to stepping up in eye of controversy, the heart to fight- the- fight both inside and outside their battlegrounds, pushing through injuries to gain the respect and rewarded badges of victory from all the hard work and dedication.
What a ride it’s been for Cejudo, fueled from a deep reservoir of intestinal fortitude has truly demonstrated he’s a unique combat artist, a welded body of armor forged early in his life that is form fitted strictly for Cejudo himself to be great. Post fight, Cejudo bantered his next feat of championship interest was to challenge the featherweight title at 145-pounds as the only three-division champion ever in the UFC. Keeping his plate full with feats of excellence, will helium his fan base insatiable interest to finally grow his popularity to new heights.