Henry Cejudo might be serious after all.
For over a year, Cejudo has been teasing a return to MMA, with his focus being on pursuing a fight with featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and a history-making third UFC title. Unfortunately for Cejudo, he hasn’t been gaining much traction. Both Volkanovski and UFC President Dana White have shot “Triple C” down, saying that he would need to re-enter the USADA testing pool before they could even start talking about it, and that even if he did, he’d still need to fight to earn a title shot by fighting for it. Well, Cejudo has already done the first part, and now it appears he’s looking to follow through on the second, and in his old weight class.
Over the weekend, Cejudo’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, posted a photo to his Twitter account of Cejudo meeting with top UFC officials Hunter Campbell and Sean Shelby, and issuing a warning to the UFC bantamweight division.
All @ufc bantamweight division in big trouble The double champ is here https://t.co/cBDOqSxXkl
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) April 23, 2022
Shortly afterwards, Cejudo himself joined in, making it clear that his first intended target upon his return has now shifted from Volkanovski, to UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.
I’m coming back for these tomato cans and I’m going to right the wrong! Aljolame you the number one contender Bitch @funkmasterMMA @danawhite https://t.co/uyCaRMXDMf
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) April 23, 2022
Sterling and Cejudo have been here before. After Cejudo won the bantamweight title over Marlon Moraes in 2019, Sterling called for a title shot against the champ-champ, but was ultimately passed over in favor of Dominick Cruz. Cejudo then retired from the sport and Sterling won the title in controversial fashion when Petr Yan illegally kneed him in the head at UFC 259. Since then, though his focus has been primarily on Volkanovski, Cejudo has repeatedly talked trash about both Sterling and Yan. But with Sterling winning a rematch with Yan at UFC 273, there’s only one way to go for Cejudo, and the bantamweight champion appears ready to oblige him.
Lolololololol
And
LOL https://t.co/QuhCP2jfgj— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 23, 2022
If he wants to lose one of those C’s, I’ll gladly demote him. Let me know when you’re serious, Champ https://t.co/vWmmshs1cz
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 23, 2022
Following his win over Yan earlier this month, Sterling made it clear he was looking to take some time off, but when he returned he would be willing to fight T.J. Dillashaw or Henry Cejudo, if Cejudo really was coming back. And with “Triple C” seemingly realizing that this is what he needs to do for the UFC to finally let him pursue his dream of winning a third UFC title, we might finally get a fight three years in the making.
TOP STORIES
Results. Jessica Andrade secured a rare standing arm-triangle submission at UFC Vegas 52.
Results. Liz Carmouche claims flyweight title with controversial finish over Juliana Velasquez at Bellator 278.
Results. Cris Cyborg retains title in five-round battle, Raufeon Stots claims interim bantamweight title at Bellator 279.
Agreement. Liz Carmouche agrees with controversial stoppage in Bellator 278 title bout: ‘He did the right thing’.
Appeal. Juliana Velasquez to appeal TKO loss at Bellator 278, reacts to Liz Carmouche’s immediate rematch denial.
Choke. Jessica Andrade explains history-making submission: ‘I am pretty scary at close quarters’.
Boxing. Tyson Fury retired from boxing, still wants special-rules fight with Francis Ngannou: ‘It will be a clash of the titans’.
Softball. Joe Rogan: Conor McGregor needs a ‘warm-up fight,’ like Donald Cerrone was, before facing Kamaru Usman.
VIDEO STEW
Weekend Fight Recap.
UFC Vegas 52 Post-Fight Press Conference.
Bellator highlights.
Arnold Allen does his own Hot Ones.
LISTEN UP
On To The Next One. Matches to make following UFC Vegas 52.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Respect.
❤️ Wahine Toa Mahalo @arleneangerfist thank you for sharing your soul with me last night @BellatorMMA I believe we left a bit of our spirit with those fans @BlaisdellCenter @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/5pqsVPWFSp
— CrisCyborg.com #Bellator279 (@criscyborg) April 24, 2022
Statement.
I want to thank @RefMikeBeltran for keeping me safe that was a great fight. @RaufeonStots capitalized on a small mistake props to him. Thank you @BellatorMMA for all the opportunities you have given me.
— Juan Archuleta (@jarchmma) April 24, 2022
Lol.
Waking up and remember you called out Barbosa last night. #UFCVegas52 pic.twitter.com/ivyTMzscp5
— CharlesAirJourdain (@JourdainAir) April 24, 2022
So, not anybody?
July/Aug…anybody.
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) April 23, 2022
Smash ya face in. https://t.co/X4hPmL7jZV
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) April 24, 2022
I’m coming of 2 win and you 2 losses, gotta be kidding me ♂️
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) April 24, 2022
Also.
— Mateusz Gamrot (@gamer_mma) April 23, 2022
I thought we agreed to fight, what’s the hold up?
— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) April 24, 2022
Aljo.
THE CHAMP IS HERE @funkmasterMMA just got this place jumping pic.twitter.com/h4ci7bxf3f
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 25, 2022
Self promotion.
Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t pic.twitter.com/hUwjlb0C66
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) April 25, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
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