Henry Cejudo teases return to ‘dry’ flyweight division

SEATTLE – Henry Cejudo won’t rule out a return to flyweight.

But first, Cejudo (16-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) will take on Song Yadong (21-8-1 MMA, 10-3-1 UFC) in a bantamweight bout, which headlines Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 252 (ESPN+) event at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

Prior to hanging up his gloves in May 2020, Cejudo had captured both the UFC flyweight and bantamweight titles simultaneously. “Triple C” was credited by many for saving the 125-pound division.

“I’ve got to cut the weight, but there is a potential thing that I could be going back down,” Cejudo told reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “With a victory here, I don’t think there’s anybody at flyweight that could really sell the division.

“I think there’s too many dry people at that weight division. I feel like what I’ve done in combat sports, particularly the flyweights, is saving that division back in 2020. There could be a resurrection there.”

Cejudo likely didn’t necessarily mean to take a shot at UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, who was his first pick when coaching Season 24 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” He just thinks he can add value to the division.

“I love Pantoja, and that’s another thing, too,” Cejudo said. “I spent New Year’s (with him) – I’m super close to Pantoja. He’s a great fighter, but sometimes I think he can create storylines because everybody is kind of dry at flyweight. There’s no tussle. There’s no storylines. When I became champion, it was my responsibility. It was my responsibility when I talked to Dana. They were going to get rid of the division. He told me, ‘Hey man I just want to let you know that I’m going to grant you your decision.’

“After I beat Demetrious (Johnson), I wanted to go up and become a double champ because the whole storyline was Demetrious Johnson vs. T.J. Dillashaw. I said, ‘I’m going to beat this dude, and I’m challenging the winner of Cody (Garbrandt) and T.J.’ Exactly what happened. He said, ‘We’re going to grant you, but we’re going to get rid of the division.’ I remember my heart just sunk. It just didn’t feel right. … I said, ‘Let’s bring (Dillashaw) down.’ So T.J. wanted to go down. I’m just like, ‘Let’s give him what he wants.’ So beat him at 125 and then go up to 35 and then do it again.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 252.