Henry Cejudo believes one hypothetical UFC matchup would surpass the fanfare of Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall next year.
2025 figures to be another monumental year in the Octagon for the UFC brass, fighters, and fans. Several high-profile matchups are already on tap for UFC 311, including the UFC lightweight title clash between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan.
The UFC is in active negotiations between UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones and interim titleholder Tom Aspinall for a 2025 clash. Jones most recently defended the heavyweight belt at UFC 309 and despite teasing retirement, he pivoted on that stance after finishing Stipe Miocic.
Fans continue to clamor for the UFC to book the Jones vs. Aspinall fight, which Dana White has already called the biggest heavyweight clash in the promotion’s history. But for Henry Cejudo, a potential champion vs. champion super fight could surpass the intrigue surrounding Jones vs. Aspinall.
Henry Cejudo: Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria is the UFC’s biggest possible blockbuster
During a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Cejudo made a bold claim about a potential Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria showdown.
“Personally, I believe this fight could be potentially bigger than Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall,” Cejudo said of Makhachev vs. Topuria. “Competitively, of course. And it’s not just that, it’s the simple fact that Ilia Topuria has a chance to become champ-champ.
“At heavyweight it’s about who is the undisputed champion. But in this position, if Ilia does win, that puts him in the category of…people will give him his flowers.”
Topuria recently announced a planned move to lightweight as opposed to defending the featherweight belt for his next fight. A rematch with Alexander Volkanovski was proposed after his latest win over Max Holloway, but it’s uncertain if that’ll hold.
Topuria and Makhachev have traded barbs in the media over the last year. If Makhachev gets past Tsarukyan in their UFC 311 rematch, a clash with Topuria could make sense for both sides.
Topuria claimed he’ll become the first fighter to submit Makhachev in his UFC career. Makhachev’s lone defeat was by knockout against Adriano Martins at UFC 192.
Ilia Topuria targeting lightweight move in 2025
Topuria’s potential addition to the UFC lightweight addition is an intriguing storyline heading into 2025. Makhachev has retained the belt against most of the top contenders, and Topuria would be a fresh challenge for the titleholder.
Topuria competed at lightweight once during his UFC tenure, a come-from-behind finish of Jai Herbert in March 2022. He’s undefeated in his career with featherweight wins over Josh Emmett, Bryce Mitchell, and Ryan Hall.
If Topuria fulfills his promise to move to lightweight, a clash with Makhachev could be on the horizon. Makhachev and Topuria’s superstardom makes Cejudo believe it’s a bigger fight than Jones vs. Aspinall.
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