Henry Cejudo, nicknamed "Triple C", is an American professional mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler. He is a former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight Champion, making him the fourth UFC fighter to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously. Cejudo is also the second fighter to defend titles in two different divisions. His achievements in both MMA and freestyle wrestling have cemented his place among the greatest combat athletes, earning him widespread recognition.
1983: USAW Established as Sport's Governing Body
The USAW (United States Wrestling Association) was established as the sport's governing body in 1983.
February 9, 1987: Birth of Henry Cejudo
Henry Carlos Cejudo was born on February 9, 1987. He would go on to become a renowned figure in combat sports.
1998: World Champion Sammie Henson
Sammie Henson was a World Champion in 1998.
2000: Olympic Silver Medalist Sammie Henson
Sammie Henson was an Olympic silver medalist in 2000.
October 23, 2005: Senior Level Debut at Sunkist Open
At the age of 18, Henry Cejudo made his senior level debut at the Sunkist Open on October 23, 2005.
2005: U20 World Championships Silver Medal
Henry Cejudo claimed the silver medal for the United States at the U20 World Championships in 2005.
April 15, 2006: US National Championship Victory
Henry Cejudo won the US National Championship at 55 kilograms on April 15, 2006, becoming the first high schooler to qualify for the US World Team Trials.
2006: Fargo National Title and Move to Olympic Training Center
After winning the Fargo National title in freestyle wrestling, Henry Cejudo began full-time training at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
2006: National High School Wrestler of the Year
Henry Cejudo was named ASICS "National High School Wrestler of the Year" in 2006, highlighting his dominance in high school wrestling.
March 22, 2007: World Cup Bronze Medal
Henry Cejudo secured a bronze medal at the World Cup on March 22, 2007.
2007: Pan American Games Gold Medalist
Henry Cejudo won a gold medal at the 2007 Pan American Games, showcasing his skills on an international level.
2008: Olympic Gold Medalist
At the young age of 21, Henry Cejudo became the youngest American to win Olympic gold in wrestling history at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
2008: Youngest American Olympic Gold Medalist in Wrestling
Henry Cejudo made history in 2008 by becoming the youngest American to win Olympic gold in wrestling at the Summer Olympics.
2010: Enrollment at Grand Canyon University
Henry Cejudo enrolled at Grand Canyon University in 2010, pursuing higher education alongside his athletic career.
2010: Cejudo Announces Second Olympic Run
Henry Cejudo announced his intention to make a second Olympic run in 2010.
October 28, 2011: Sunkist Open Title
Henry Cejudo claimed the Sunkist Open title on October 28, 2011, after a series of victories.
November 26, 2011: Silver Medal at Henri Deglane Challenge
On November 26, 2011, Henry Cejudo earned a silver medal at the Henri Deglane Challenge after being defeated in the finals.
2011: Comeback at Beat the Streets Charity Event
In 2011, Henry Cejudo made his comeback to wrestling at the Beat the Streets charity event, where he won his match.
2012: Retirement from Wrestling
After failing to make his second US Olympic team, Henry Cejudo symbolically retired from wrestling by leaving his shoes on the mat.
January 30, 2013: Announcement of MMA Training
On January 30, 2013, Henry Cejudo announced his plans to begin training for a career in MMA.
March 2, 2013: MMA Debut and Victory
Henry Cejudo made a successful MMA debut on March 2, 2013, winning his first fight by TKO.
2013: Top-Ranked Bantamweight Prospect
In 2013, Henry Cejudo was recognized as the #1 ranked bantamweight prospect in the MMA Prospects Report.
July 25, 2014: UFC Signs Cejudo
On July 25, 2014, Henry Cejudo signed with the UFC, becoming the third Olympic gold medalist wrestler to join the company.
August 30, 2014: Cejudo Withdraws from UFC 177
Scheduled to fight Scott Jorgensen at UFC 177 on August 30, 2014, Cejudo withdrew due to medical issues on the day of weigh-ins, leading to the fight's cancellation. This incident, coupled with past weight-cutting difficulties, prompted UFC president Dana White to mandate that Cejudo move up to bantamweight or leave the organization.
December 13, 2014: Cejudo's Bantamweight Debut
On December 13, 2014, at UFC on Fox 13, Cejudo made his highly anticipated UFC debut against Dustin Kimura in a bantamweight bout, securing a unanimous decision victory.
March 14, 2015: Cejudo vs. Cariaso at UFC 185
Cejudo emerged victorious from his flyweight bout against Chris Cariaso at UFC 185 on March 14, 2015, winning by unanimous decision.
April 4, 2015: Exhibition Match against Tony Ramos
While already an undefeated MMA prospect, Henry Cejudo made a brief return to wrestling on April 4, 2015, for an exhibition match against Tony Ramos, which he lost.
June 13, 2015: Cejudo's Victory at UFC 188
Cejudo continued his winning streak with a unanimous decision victory over Chico Camus at UFC 188 on June 13, 2015.
September 5, 2015: Cejudo vs. Benavidez Fight Cancellation
Although briefly linked to a bout against Joseph Benavidez at UFC 191 on September 5, 2015, the fight ultimately did not occur.
September 16, 2015: Cejudo Announces Nevada Boycott
On September 16, 2015, Cejudo publicly declared his refusal to compete in Nevada, protesting the Nevada State Athletic Commission's (NSAC) suspension and fine imposed on Nick Diaz for a failed drug test at UFC 182. Cejudo's boycott stemmed from his disapproval of the NSAC's decision-making process in Diaz's case.
November 21, 2015: Cejudo's Split Decision Win at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale
Cejudo faced Jussier Formiga at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale on November 21, 2015, securing a hard-fought split decision victory. Brandon Moreno later confirmed his role in assisting Cejudo's training for this fight.
2015: Graduation from Grand Canyon University
In 2015, Henry Cejudo graduated from Grand Canyon University with a degree in Theology.
April 23, 2016: Cejudo's First Title Shot
Cejudo ended his Nevada boycott for a shot at the UFC Flyweight title against Demetrious Johnson at UFC 197 on April 23, 2016. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
May 2016: Cejudo as Coach on The Ultimate Fighter 24
The UFC announced in May 2016 that Cejudo would coach opposite Joseph Benavidez on The Ultimate Fighter 24.
December 3, 2016: Cejudo vs. Benavidez at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale
Cejudo and Joseph Benavidez, paired as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 24, faced off at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale on December 3, 2016. Cejudo lost a closely contested split decision.
2016: Potential Olympic Run Considered
Henry Cejudo briefly entertained the idea of making a run for the 2016 Olympics, but it didn't materialize.
2016: Kyle Snyder Breaks Cejudo's Record
Kyle Snyder, at age 20, surpassed Henry Cejudo's record as the youngest American Olympic gold medalist in wrestling in 2016.
May 13, 2017: Cejudo Withdraws from UFC 211
A hand injury forced Cejudo to withdraw from his scheduled bout against Sergio Pettis at UFC 211 on May 13, 2017, leading to the fight's cancellation.
September 9, 2017: Cejudo's TKO Victory at UFC 215
Cejudo triumphed over Wilson Reis via TKO in the second round at UFC 215 on September 9, 2017, earning his first Performance of the Night bonus award.
December 2, 2017: Cejudo vs. Pettis at UFC 218
The rescheduled fight between Cejudo and Sergio Pettis finally took place at UFC 218 on December 2, 2017, with Cejudo securing a unanimous decision victory.
June 2018: Induction into National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Henry Cejudo was honored with induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in June 2018.
August 4, 2018: Cejudo Becomes Flyweight Champion at UFC 227
Two years after his first title shot, Cejudo faced Demetrious Johnson in a rematch at UFC 227 on August 4, 2018. In a closely contested bout, Cejudo emerged victorious via split decision, becoming the second UFC Flyweight Champion and the first Olympic gold medalist to capture a UFC championship. This victory earned him the Fight of the Night award.
November 2018: Cejudo Signs Six-Fight UFC Contract
Cejudo signed a new six-fight contract with the UFC in November 2018.
January 19, 2019: Cejudo Retains Flyweight Title at UFC Fight Night 143
Cejudo's flyweight title defense against T.J. Dillashaw was rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 143 on January 19, 2019, marking the first title fight to feature the new UFC legacy belt. Cejudo won by TKO just 32 seconds into the first round, retaining his title and earning his second Performance of the Night bonus.
January 26, 2019: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw Fight Postponement
Initially scheduled for UFC 233 on January 26, 2019, Cejudo's flyweight title defense against bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw was postponed due to the event's cancellation.
April 9, 2019: Dillashaw's Suspension and Cejudo's Next Title Shot
T.J. Dillashaw's positive test for EPO in pre and post-fight screenings for his fight against Cejudo led to a two-year suspension, as announced by USADA on April 9, 2019. Subsequently, Cejudo was scheduled to fight Marlon Moraes for the vacant bantamweight championship at UFC 238.
June 8, 2019: Cejudo Becomes Double Champ at UFC 238
Cejudo made history at UFC 238 on June 8, 2019, defeating Marlon Moraes via TKO in the third round to claim the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship. This victory made Cejudo the fourth fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight divisions simultaneously, a feat he achieved despite battling a rolled ankle in the days leading up to the fight. His win also earned him another Performance of the Night award.
December 2019: Cejudo Relinquishes Flyweight Title
Cejudo decided to vacate the UFC Flyweight Championship in December 2019 to focus on his reign as bantamweight champion.
May 9, 2020: Cejudo Defeats Cruz at UFC 249
Cejudo's originally scheduled opponent for UFC 250 on May 9, 2020, José Aldo, withdrew due to visa issues. Dominick Cruz stepped in as a replacement, but Cejudo emerged victorious via technical knockout in the second round.
May 27, 2020: Cejudo Appears on AEW Dynamite
Cejudo, alongside MMA fighters Rashad Evans and Vitor Belfort, made an appearance on AEW Dynamite on May 27, 2020, showing support for Mike Tyson during a confrontation with Chris Jericho's Inner Circle. Cejudo's appearance sparked discussions about a potential AEW contract, with Cejudo also expressing interest in amateur wrestling.
September 2020: Cejudo Attends Trump Rally
Cejudo, along with manager Ali Abdelaziz, fellow fighters Justin Gaethje and Colby Covington, and UFC President Dana White, were present at a rally for President Donald Trump in September 2020.
2020: Cejudo Sidelined with Shoulder Injury
A shoulder injury forced Cejudo into a period of inactivity throughout 2020.
May 6, 2023: Cejudo's Return and Loss at UFC 288
After nearly three years away from the octagon, Cejudo returned to challenge Aljamain Sterling for the UFC Bantamweight Championship at UFC 288 on May 6, 2023. In a closely contested fight, Cejudo lost by split decision.
August 19, 2023: Cejudo Withdraws from UFC 292
Cejudo was slated to face Marlon Vera at UFC 292 on August 19, 2023, but a shoulder injury forced him to withdraw in late June, and Pedro Munhoz replaced him.
February 17, 2024: Cejudo's Loss at UFC 298
On February 17, 2024, at UFC 298, Cejudo faced Merab Dvalishvili. The fight ended with Cejudo losing by unanimous decision after three rounds.
April 16, 2024: UFC Bantamweight Ranking
As of April 16, 2024, Henry Cejudo was ranked #5 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.