Henry Cejudo

Julio Cejudo

Cejudo (right) forces his opponent out of the mat
Born (1987-02-09) February 9, 1987
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names The Messenger
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[1]
Weight 125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
Division Flyweight
Bantamweight
Reach 64.0 in (163 cm)[2]
Style Freestyle Wrestling, Muay Thai
Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Team Fight Ready
Wrestling Olympic Gold Medalist[3][4]
Years active 2013–present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total 12
Wins 10
By knockout 4
By decision 6
Losses 2
By knockout 1
By decision 1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Henry Cejudo
Born (1987-02-09) February 9, 1987
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
State championships 4 ( 2 Arizona, 2 Colorado)
Olympic team United States of America
Olympic medal Gold
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
2008 Beijing Freestyle 55 kg
Pan American Games
2007 Rio de Janeiro -55 kg

Henry Carlos Cejudo, (born February 9, 1987) is an American freestyle wrestler, Olympic gold medalist, mixed martial artist[5] and author. He became an Olympic gold medalist at 21 years old, the second youngest American wrestler to do so (Kyle Snyder became an olympic champion at 20 years old at the 2016 Rio Games).[6] Cejudo debuted in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship in December 2014 at UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic. As of March 21, 2016, he is #2 in the official UFC flyweight rankings.[7]

Wrestling career

Henry captured four high school wrestling state championships (two in Colorado, two in Arizona). He was awarded (the title) ASICS National High School Wrestler of the Year (2006).

He participated in two Junior World Championships, placing fifth in 2005 and second in 2006. That same year, Henry became the first high schooler to win U.S. Nationals since USA Wrestling's formation as the sport's national body in 1983.[8] Cejudo decided to skip wrestling at the college level and instead accepted an offer from USA wrestling to train at their main facilities in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[9] Henry won the Pan American Championships in March 2008.[10] Henry Cejudo is the youngest of seven siblings including Angel Cejudo four time state champ at Maryvale High School (Phoenix, Arizona).

2008 Beijing Olympics

Cejudo qualified for the Olympics in the 55 kg, (121 pound) weight class. He entered the competition in the Round of 16. In his first round match, against Bulgaria's Radoslav Velikov, Cejudo lost the first period, 2-1, and was forced to win both of the remaining periods to win the match.[11]

In the quarterfinals, Cejudo faced Georgian wrestler Besarion Gochashvilli and again lost the first period, but bounced back to win the last two periods to advance.[12]

In the semifinals, Cejudo again was forced to win the last two periods but did so for the third time in the tournament, defeating Azerbaijani wrestler Namig Sevdimov to advance to the gold medal match.[11]

For the gold medal match, Cejudo faced Japanese wrestler Tomohiro Matsunaga and, for the first time in the tournament, was able to win the first two periods which secured the gold medal.[13]

2012 Olympic Trials

After four years since his last appearance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics Henry decided to make a return to the mat in 2012 to capture a second Olympic gold medal. After losing in the 2012 Olympic Trials, Henry Cejudo retired from the sport of wrestling in the traditional manner by taking off his wrestling shoes and placing one on the mat and throwing the other into the crowd of wrestling fans walking away and officially retiring from the sport of wrestling. Immediately at the end of the match he lost, the crowd of fans in the arena rose in a standing ovation to recognize his achievements. As he removed his shoes, the roar of applause grew and continued to rise as he left the mat.

Wrestling credentials

2005

2006

2007

2008

2012

Additional Wrestling Accolades

World/Olympic Championships Matches

Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location Notes
Win 4-1 Japan Tomohiro Matsunaga 2-0, 3-0 2008-08-19 2008 Summer Olympics China Beijing, China Gold Medal
Win 3-1 Azerbaijan Namig Sevdimov 3-5, 3-2, 4-3 2008-08-19 2008 Summer Olympics China Beijing, China
Win 2-1 Georgia (country) Besarion Gochashvili 1-3, 3-2, 3-0 2008-08-19 2008 Summer Olympics China Beijing, China
Win 1-1 Bulgaria Radoslav Velikov 0-1, 3-2, 4-3 2008-08-19 2008 Summer Olympics China Beijing, China
Loss 0-1 Iran Taghi Dadashi 0-1, 0-4 2007-09-17 2007 World Wrestling Championships Azerbaijan Baku, Azerbaijan

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

On Jan. 30, 2013, Cejudo announced on his Twitter page that he plans to begin training for a career in MMA.[14][15] Despite wrestling at 121 pounds during his wrestling career, Cejudo fought at 135 pounds in his MMA debut.[16] He defeated Michael Poe by TKO due to punches in his MMA debut on March 2, 2013, for the Arizona-based World Fighting Federation.[17]

Over the next year, Cejudo amassed an undefeated record of 6-0 with three wins by TKO, one by submission, and two by decision. Prior to signing with the UFC, Cejudo was listed as the #1 ranked bantamweight prospect in the MMA Prospects Report 2013.[18]

Also during this time period, Cejudo became a "Global Ambassador" for the #besomebody movement, speaking at schools across the country with Besomebody Founder, Kash Shaikh, to encourage students to follow their dreams and passions.[19]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On July 25, 2014, Cejudo signed with the UFC.[20] He is the third Olympic gold medalist wrestler in company history, after Mark Schultz and Kevin Jackson.[21] Cejudo was expected to face Scott Jorgensen on August 30, 2014 at UFC 177.[22] However, due to medical issues on the day of the weigh-ins, Cejudo was forced out of the bout and the fight was subsequently cancelled.[23] In light of this, and his history of missing weight, president Dana White said Cejudo must either move up to bantamweight or leave the UFC.[24]

In his eventual debut, Cejudo faced Dustin Kimura in a bantamweight bout on December 13, 2014 at UFC on Fox 13.[25] Cejudo won the fight by unanimous decision.[26]

Cejudo faced Chris Cariaso in a flyweight bout on March 14, 2015 at UFC 185.[27] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[28]

Cejudo faced Chico Camus on June 13, 2015 at UFC 188.[29] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[30]

Cejudo was briefly linked to a bout against former title challenger Joseph Benavidez on September 5, 2015 at UFC 191.[31] However, the fight will not take place at the event. In turn, Cejudo faced Jussier Formiga on November 21, 2015 at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale.[32] He won the fight by split decision.[33]

On September 16, 2015, Cejudo announced that he would refuse to fight in Nevada after the Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended and fined Nick Diaz following a failed drug test at UFC 187. Cejudo cited the NSAC's process in determining Diaz's guilt as the reason for the boycott.[34] Despite the lack of change in NSAC procedure, Cejudo ended his Nevada boycott to face UFC Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson on April 23, 2016 at UFC 197 for the Flyweight title.[35] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round being dropped with a variety of strikes.[36]

In May 2016, the UFC announced that Cejudo would be one of the coaches, opposite Joseph Benavidez on The Ultimate Fighter 24. The pairing is expected to face each other on December 3, 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale.[37][38] After a back and forth match, Cejudo lost the bout via split decision for his second straight loss.

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 10–2 Joseph Benavidez Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions Finale December 3, 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Cejudo was deducted one point in round 1 due to repeated low blows.
Loss 10–1 Demetrious Johnson TKO (knees and punches) UFC 197 April 23, 2016 1 2:49 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For the UFC Flyweight Championship.
Win 10–0 Jussier Formiga Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale: Magny vs. Gastelum November 21, 2015 3 5:00 Monterrey, Mexico UFC Flyweight title eliminator.
Win 9–0 Chico Camus Decision (unanimous) UFC 188 June 13, 2015 3 5:00 Mexico City, Mexico
Win 8–0 Chris Cariaso Decision (unanimous) UFC 185 March 14, 2015 3 5:00 Dallas, Texas, United States Return to Flyweight.
Win 7–0 Dustin Kimura Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic December 13, 2014 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Return to Bantamweight.
Win 6–0 Elias Garcia Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 27 January 31, 2014 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States Flyweight debut; Cejudo missed weight (128.5 lbs).
Win 5–0 Ryan Hollis Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 24 October 11, 2013 3 5:00 Dallas, Texas, United States Catchweight (128 lbs) bout.
Win 4–0 Miguelito Marti TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: American Dream May 18, 2013 1 1:43 Lincoln, California, United States
Win 3–0 Anthony Sessions TKO (punches) WFF 10: Cejudo v Sessions April 19, 2013 1 4:23 Chandler, Arizona, United States Won the WFF Bantamweight Championship.
Win 2–0 Sean Henry Barnett TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Battleground March 24, 2013 1 4:55 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 1–0 Michael Poe Submission (punches) WFF MMA: Pascua Yaqui Fights 4 March 2, 2013 1 1:25 Tucson, Arizona, United States

Cejudo is also a Chess Master with the volunteer organization "Surf-n-Chess" in Phoenix, AZ. He takes time out of his days to teach children at lower income schools chess. Surf-n-Chess believes that chess can help a child learn to make the right decisions early in life by practicing on the chess board.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fight Card – UFC 188 Velasquez vs. Werdum". UFC.com. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Fight Card – UFC 185 Pettis vs. Dos Anjos". UFC.com. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Henry Cejudo". teamusa.org. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  4. ↑ Justin Faux (December 13, 2014). "Seeing gold: Olympic champion Henry Cejudo gears up for UFC debut". mma kanvas.
  5. ↑ "2008 Gold medal Olympian Henry Cejudo coming to MMA". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  6. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20080919160105/http://www.timesleader.com/sports/Cejudo_rsquo_s_freestyle_wrestling_gold_turns_out_to_be_surprise_story_of_the_day_08-20-2008.html. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved August 20, 2008. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ↑ "UFC Fighter Rankings". UFC. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "USA Wrestling – Features, Events, Results – Team USA". Team USA. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  9. ↑ Archived August 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ↑ "USA Wrestling – Features, Events, Results – Team USA". Team USA. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  11. 1 2 Archived August 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  12. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20080825074755/http://www.nbcolympics.com/wrestling/resultsandschedules/rsc=WRM255302/index.html. Archived from the original on August 25, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20080825013139/http://www.nbcolympics.com/wrestling/resultsandschedules/rsc=WRM255101/index.html. Archived from the original on August 25, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ↑ "Henry Cejudo on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  15. ↑ "Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Cejudo: 'MMA, Here I Come!'". Sherdog. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  16. ↑ "Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo to fight at 135 in spring MMA debut". MMAjunkie. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  17. ↑ "Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Cejudo Cruises in MMA Debut at World Fighting Federation". Sherdog. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  18. ↑ D.C. Ross. "Henry Cejudo : MMA Prospects Report 2013". Ranking MMA. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  19. ↑ besomebody. (2013-12-18), Passion Sessions: Arizona High Schools. #besomebody., retrieved 2016-08-17
  20. ↑ "UFC signs Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  21. ↑ "UFC Olympic Gold medailst wrestlers". Retrieved 2014-08-28.
  22. ↑ "Henry Cejudo Signs With the UFC, Will Meet Scott Jorgensen at UFC 177". cagepotato.com. 2014-07-25. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  23. ↑ "Medical issue forces Henry Cejudo out of UFC 177 fight with Scott Jorgensen". mmajunkie.com. 2014-08-29. Retrieved 2014-08-29.
  24. ↑ "Former Olympian Henry Cejudo must move to 135 to continue fighting in the UFC". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  25. ↑ Dave Doyle (2014-10-20). "Henry Cejudo meets Dustin Kimura in UFC on FOX 13 bantamweight bout". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-10-20.
  26. ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2014-12-13). "UFC on FOX 13 results: Henry Cejudo outboxes Dustin Kimura for debut win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-12-13.
  27. ↑ Staff (2015-01-12). "Chris Cariaso-Henry Cejudo flyweight bout added to UFC 185". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-01-12.
  28. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2015-03-14). "UFC 185 results, photos: Henry Cejudo grinds out Chris Cariaso in official flyweight debut". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-03-14.
  29. ↑ Alex Schlinsky (2015-04-24). "UFC 188: Henry Cejudo vs. Chico Camus official for June 13 PPV in Mexico". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
  30. ↑ Staff (2015-06-13). "Henry Cejudo remains undefeated with decision over Chico Camus". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2015-06-13.
  31. ↑ Jeremy Brand (2015-07-11). "Joseph Benavidez takes on Henry Cejudo in September". mmasucka.com. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
  32. ↑ José Youngs (2015-08-17). "Henry Cejudo vs. 'Jussier' Formiga Booked for TUF Latin America 2 Finale in Mexico". themmacorner.com. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
  33. ↑ Brent Brookhouse (2015-11-21). "UFC Fight Night 78 results: Henry Cejudo gets strange split decision over Jussier Formiga". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  34. ↑ Adam Guillen Jr (2015-09-16). "Henry Cejudo refuses to fight in Nevada in wake of Nick Diaz suspension". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  35. ↑ Tristen Critchfield (2016-02-06). "Demetrious Johnson to defend flyweight crown vs. Henry Cejudo at UFC 197". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  36. ↑ Dave Doyle (2016-04-23). "UFC 197 results: Demetrious Johnson steamrolls Henry Cejudo". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-04-23.
  37. ↑ Tristen Critchfield (2016-05-11). "Joseph Benavidez, Henry Cejudo to serve as coaches on 'The Ultimate Fighter 24'". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
  38. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (2016-05-11). "Flyweights to be featured on The Ultimate Fighter Season 24". ufc.com. Retrieved 2016-05-11.

External links

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