Is flyweight contender Henry Cejudo deserving of his title shot?
By: Derek Moody
2/18/2016, 4:30 a.m.
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Has #3 ranked flyweight title contender Henry “The Messenger” Cejudo (10-0, four knockouts) earned his upcoming title shot? Joseph Benavidez (24-4, six knockouts, nine submissions), the #1 ranked flyweight, certainly doesn’t think so. I feel he’s one fight away from the title shot, either needing to fight Benavidez or John Dodson (17-7, eight knockouts, two submissions), the #2 flyweight in the division, if he decides to stay and not move up to bantamweight and win in great fashion. The Messenger is currently riding a four-fight win streak, all by decision, with only one previous title contender, retired Chris Cariaso (17-8, three knockouts, two submissions), in that streak. The flyweight division has needed fresh talent for some time now; the addition of Olympic gold medalist and his elite wrestling helped bring some of that appeal back.
Does Benavidez have a point? Comparing the two, he just might. Benavidez is on a five-fight win streak taking down two former title challengers against Cejudo’s four-fight win streak defeating one former title challenger. The difference between giving Cejudo a shot versus giving Benavidez a shot is that Benavidez had two prior shots and came up short both times. The first being a split decision for the inaugural flyweight title and the second was a shocking first-round knockout. Most fight fans want to see a new title contender over seeing someone who lost in a very disappointing way receive a third shot leaving us to assume he’ll come up short again.
Is Cejudo ready for Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson? For Cejudo to win, he’ll need to slow down the champ which no one has been able to do in this weight class. This will be the fight where we’ll need to see his world class olympic wrestling abilities and be extra aggressive with it. The last time Demetrious Johnson (23-2, four knockouts, nine submissions) lost was to the current Bantamweight Champ Dominick Cruz (21-1, seven knockouts, one submission) and Cruz had to execute 10 takedowns to seal the deal. That was 11 fights ago, today’s Mighty Mouse has evolved so much in comparison to the 2011 Mighty Mouse but the same strategy applies: slow him down.
The Olympian has to key in on his strengths which is his wrestling and boxing, gain multiple takedowns and create the tone of the fight. Demetrious Johnson has two losses, both by decision where the opponents had 10 takedowns each. Demetrious Johnson was very undersized in the fight against Dominick Cruz, Cruz was able to really overpower and dominate with the angles and takedowns. Johnson slightly edged Cruz in total strikes, but judging a fight is based on who won each round as opposed to total strikes. The other loss came in similar fashion, taken down ten times by Brad “One Punch” Pickett (24-11, seven knockouts, 10 submissions) who Johnson out struck as well but was overwhelmed in the takedown department.
Henry Cejudo has struggled making weight in the past, if he has a shot at dethroning the champ he needs to focus on George Lockhart’s system so the weight cut is smooth and he’s ready to compete. He’s very confident going into his first UFC title fight, but anyone signing a contract to step in the Octagon better be; believing he can beat the champ is one thing, finishing the champ is another. Nothing is impossible. Recent champions have been dethroned via knockout, technical knockout, or submission quite often as of late (Holm KO over Rousey, Rockhold TKO over Weidman, Werdum sub over Velazquez, Dillashaw TKO over Barao). I’m certain Cejudo will bring his A game, resort to his wrestling when the openings present themselves, but still come up short against Mighty Mouse. Experience is a big factor. I believe he should fight Joseph Benavidez before taking a crack at the champ seeing how Benavidez is the most technically sound fighter in the top 10.
Henry “The Messenger” Cejudo will have his opportunity to be the second fighter to grace the UFC Flyweight Title. Did he earn his title shot or was it a bit premature? Will he make weight and still have something left in this tank to enter the championship rounds? Can his wrestling be effective enough to slow down Mighty Mouse? Stay tuned for UFC 197 on April 23rd and all will be answered.
