History of Henry Cejudo in Timeline
Henry Cejudo is an accomplished American mixed martial artist and former freestyle wrestler, most notably recognized for his achievements in the UFC. He held titles in both the Flyweight and Bantamweight divisions, becoming only the fourth UFC fighter to simultaneously hold titles in two different weight classes and the second to defend titles in two divisions. His success in both MMA and freestyle wrestling has solidified his reputation as one of the greatest combat athletes.
1983: USA Wrestling (USAW) Established
In 1983, USA Wrestling (USAW) was established as the sport's governing body.
February 9, 1987: Henry Cejudo's Birth
On February 9, 1987, Henry Carlos Cejudo was born. He is an American professional mixed martial artist and former freestyle wrestler.
1998: Sammie Henson is World Champion
In 1998, Sammie Henson was a World Champion, and would later defeat Henry Cejudo twice at the World Team Trials.
2000: Sammie Henson defeats Cejudo
In 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist, Sammie Henson, defeats Henry Cejudo twice at the World Team Trials.
October 23, 2005: Senior Level Debut at Sunkist Open
On October 23, 2005, Henry Cejudo made his senior level debut at the Sunkist Open at the age of 18, finishing fifth after notable victories.
2005: Fifth Place Finish at U20 World Championships
In 2005, Henry Cejudo finished in fifth place at the U20 World Championships.
April 15, 2006: Wins US National Championship
On April 15, 2006, Henry Cejudo won the US National Championship at 55 kilograms, becoming the first high schooler to qualify for the US World Team Trials since 1983 when USAW was established.
2006: Named National High School Wrestler of the Year
In 2006, Henry Cejudo was named ASICS "National High School Wrestler of the Year".
2006: Wins Fargo National Title in Freestyle
In 2006, Henry Cejudo won the Fargo National title in freestyle wrestling and began full-time training at the United States Olympic Training Center.
March 22, 2007: Captures Bronze Medal at World Cup
On March 22, 2007, Henry Cejudo captured a bronze medal at the World Cup.
2007: Wins Pan American Gold
In 2007, Henry Cejudo won a gold medal at the Pan American Games as a senior level freestyle wrestler.
2008: Wins Olympic Gold
In 2008, Henry Cejudo won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics, becoming the youngest American Olympic gold medalist in wrestling history at the time.
2010: Announces Second Olympic Run
In 2010, Henry Cejudo announced that he would try to make a second Olympic run.
2010: Enrolls at Grand Canyon University
In 2010, Henry Cejudo enrolled at Grand Canyon University.
October 28, 2011: Wins Sunkist Open Title
On October 28, 2011, Henry Cejudo claimed a Sunkist Open title after compiling four victories in his first tournament since his lay-off.
November 26, 2011: Earns Silver Medal at Henri Deglane Challenge
On November 26, 2011, Henry Cejudo earned a silver medal from the Henri Deglane Challenge, after being defeated in the finals by Ghenadie Tulbea.
2011: Comeback at Beat the Streets Charity Event
In 2011, Henry Cejudo made his comeback at the Beat the Streets charity event, where he beat Rasul Mashezov.
2012: Retires from Wrestling
In 2012, Henry Cejudo failed to make his second US Olympic Team at the US Olympic Team Trials and signaled his retirement from wrestling.
January 30, 2013: Announces Plans to Train for MMA
On January 30, 2013, Henry Cejudo announced his plans to begin training for a career in MMA.
March 2, 2013: MMA Debut and Victory
On March 2, 2013, Henry Cejudo made his MMA debut, defeating Michael Poe by TKO in the World Fighting Federation.
2013: Ranked #1 Bantamweight Prospect
In 2013, prior to signing with the UFC, Henry Cejudo was listed as the #1 ranked bantamweight prospect in the MMA Prospects Report.
July 25, 2014: Signs with UFC
On July 25, 2014, Henry Cejudo signed with the UFC, becoming the third Olympic gold medalist wrestler in the company's history.
August 30, 2014: Pulled from UFC 177
On August 30, 2014, Henry Cejudo was forced to pull out of his scheduled fight at UFC 177 due to medical issues and was told he had to move up to bantamweight or leave the UFC due to his history of missing weight.
December 13, 2014: UFC Debut Win
On December 13, 2014, Henry Cejudo made his UFC debut and won against Dustin Kimura by unanimous decision in a bantamweight bout at UFC on Fox 13.
March 14, 2015: Defeats Chris Cariaso at UFC 185
On March 14, 2015, Henry Cejudo defeated Chris Cariaso by unanimous decision in a flyweight bout at UFC 185.
April 4, 2015: Wrestles Tony Ramos at "Agon V: Iowa against the World"
On April 4, 2015, Henry Cejudo made a brief return to wrestling at the "Agon V: Iowa against the World" event, wrestling Tony Ramos and losing after initially leading.
June 13, 2015: Defeats Chico Camus at UFC 188
On June 13, 2015, Henry Cejudo defeated Chico Camus by unanimous decision at UFC 188.
September 5, 2015: Briefly Linked to Bout Against Joseph Benavidez
On September 5, 2015, Henry Cejudo was briefly linked to a bout against Joseph Benavidez at UFC 191, but the fight did not take place.
November 21, 2015: Defeats Jussier Formiga at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale
On November 21, 2015, Henry Cejudo defeated Jussier Formiga by split decision at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale.
2015: Graduates from Grand Canyon University
In 2015, Henry Cejudo graduated from Grand Canyon University with a degree in Theology.
April 23, 2016: Loses to Demetrious Johnson at UFC 197
On April 23, 2016, Henry Cejudo faced Demetrious Johnson for the UFC Flyweight title at UFC 197 and lost via TKO in the first round.
May 2016: Coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 24
In May 2016, the UFC announced that Henry Cejudo would be one of the coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 24, opposite Joseph Benavidez.
December 3, 2016: Loses to Joseph Benavidez at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale
On December 3, 2016, Henry Cejudo lost to Joseph Benavidez via split decision at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale.
2016: Kyle Snyder breaks Cejudo's record
In 2016, Kyle Snyder broke Henry Cejudo's record for youngest American to win Olympic Gold in wrestling.
2016: Flirts with Possibility of 2016 Olympic Run
Soon after his exhibition match with Ramos, Henry Cejudo flirted with the possibility of making a 2016 Olympic Run, however, his intentions never materialized.
May 13, 2017: Pulls Out of Fight with Sergio Pettis
On May 13, 2017, Henry Cejudo was scheduled to face Sergio Pettis at UFC 211, but he pulled out of the fight due to a hand injury.
September 9, 2017: Defeats Wilson Reis at UFC 215
On September 9, 2017, Henry Cejudo defeated Wilson Reis via TKO at UFC 215, earning his first Performance of the Night bonus award.
December 2, 2017: Defeats Sergio Pettis at UFC 218
On December 2, 2017, Henry Cejudo defeated Sergio Pettis by unanimous decision at UFC 218.
June 2018: Inducted into National Wrestling Hall of Fame
In June 2018, Henry Cejudo was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.
August 4, 2018: Wins UFC Flyweight Championship
On August 4, 2018, Henry Cejudo defeated Demetrious Johnson via split decision at UFC 227 to become the UFC Flyweight Champion and the first Olympic gold medalist to win a UFC division championship, also earning the Fight of the Night award.
November 2018: Signs Six-Fight Contract with UFC
In November 2018, Henry Cejudo revealed that he had signed a six-fight contract with the UFC.
January 19, 2019: Retains UFC Flyweight Championship
On January 19, 2019, Henry Cejudo defeated T.J. Dillashaw via TKO at UFC Fight Night 143 to retain his UFC Flyweight Championship, also earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
January 26, 2019: Initial Date for Cejudo vs. Dillashaw at UFC 233
On January 26, 2019, Henry Cejudo was initially scheduled to face T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 233; however, the event was canceled.
April 9, 2019: Dillashaw Suspended by USADA
On April 9, 2019, USADA announced that T.J. Dillashaw had tested positive for EPO and had been suspended for two years.
June 8, 2019: Wins UFC Bantamweight Championship
On June 8, 2019, Henry Cejudo defeated Marlon Moraes at UFC 238 to win the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship, becoming a simultaneous two-division champion and earning a Performance of the Night award.
December 2019: Relinquishes UFC Flyweight Title
In December 2019, Henry Cejudo agreed to relinquish the UFC Flyweight title in order to focus on the bantamweight division.
May 9, 2020: Defeats Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 and Retirement
On May 9, 2020, Henry Cejudo defeated Dominick Cruz via technical knockout at UFC 249.
May 27, 2020: AEW Dynamite Appearance
On May 27, 2020, Henry Cejudo appeared on AEW Dynamite alongside MMA fighters Rashad Evans and Vitor Belfort to support Mike Tyson.
September 2020: Appearance at Donald Trump Rally
In September 2020, Henry Cejudo appeared at a rally for President Donald Trump, along with his manager Ali Abdelaziz, fellow fighters Justin Gaethje and Colby Covington, and UFC President Dana White.
2020: Cejudo Becomes Inactive Due to Shoulder Injury
Henry Cejudo became inactive until 2020 due to a shoulder injury.
May 6, 2023: UFC 288: Cejudo vs. Sterling
On May 6, 2023, Henry Cejudo faced Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288 for the UFC Bantamweight Championship, but lost via split decision. Most MMA media outlets scored the fight in favor of Sterling.
August 19, 2023: Withdrawal from UFC 292
On August 19, 2023, Henry Cejudo was scheduled to face Marlon Vera at UFC 292, but he withdrew in late June due to a shoulder injury.
February 17, 2024: UFC 298: Cejudo vs. Dvalishvili
On February 17, 2024, Henry Cejudo faced Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298 and was defeated via unanimous decision after three rounds.
February 22, 2025: UFC Fight Night 252: Cejudo vs. Yadong
On February 22, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 252, Henry Cejudo faced Song Yadong. The fight was stopped at the beginning of the fourth round due to an eyepoke by Song rendering Cejudo unable to continue, resulting in a technical decision win for Song.
February 25, 2025: UFC Bantamweight Ranking
As of February 25, 2025, Henry Cejudo is ranked #9 in the UFC bantamweight division.
