Henry Cejudo flies under the radar as one of the most underrated champions in UFC history.
‘Triple-C’ is a multi-sport champion and became the second-ever UFC fighter to win and defend titles in two divisions. Formerly ‘The Messenger,’ Cejudo defied all odds to succeed as one of MMA’s greatest flyweight and bantamweight fighters. His career was only marred by losses to divisional greats and a questionable retirement decision.
Here’s everything you need to know as Cejudo gears up to re-enter title contention with a fight against Song Yadong at UFC Seattle on February 22.
Henry Cejudo height, age & reach
Cejudo is listed at 5’4″. He competes in the UFC bantamweight division, and last weighed 135 lbs. His reach is registered at 67.5″, which is considerably longer than his height.
Cejudo has also fought at UFC flyweight, weighing 125 lbs on the scale. During his time in the 2008 Olympic Beijing Games, Cejudo weighed 121 lbs.
Henry Cejudo wife & family
Cejudo lives married with his wife, Ana Karolina Cejudo, and their two kids.
Henry Cejudo’s Olympic Gold Medal & UFC Double-Championship
Winning the Colorado State wrestling championships as a junior and senior, Cejudo won many wrestling accolades before pursuing a career in freestyle wrestling. This culminated in his appearance at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, where he won Olympic Gold at the age of 21, making him the youngest American to win Olympic Gold at the time.
Cejudo debuted in professional MMA in 2013, putting together a nine-fight winning streak to make it into the UFC. His first loss was a title fight knockout against all-time-great Demetrious Johnson in 2016. Cejudo endured another loss before winning two more fights and edging a split decision in a rematch with Johnson to secure the flyweight title.
Henry Cejudo vs. TJ Dillashaw
Cejudo defended his flyweight title once in a fight with then-bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw. He won the fight by 32-second knockout. Cejudo’s knockout over Dillashaw inadvertently saved the flyweight division, as Dillashaw would later admit the UFC planned to remove the division if Cejudo lost.
Henry Cejudo vs. Marlon Moraes
After knocking out Dillashaw, Cejudo was allowed to fight for the bantamweight title, which Dillashaw had vacated due to a doping violation. Standing in his way was a prime Marlon Moraes, riding a four-fight winning streak with three finishes.
Cejudo overcame early adversity to knock out Moraes in the third round, securing his double-championship. In his post-fight celebration, Cejudo sported his Olympic Gold Medal and two UFC titles and coined the moniker ‘Triple-C.’
‘Triple-C’ defended his bantamweight strap against Dominick Cruz before making a shock retirement. He’d return three years later to lose to Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili.
Henry Cejudo vs. Merab Dvalishvili
Cejudo fought a surging Dvalishvili at UFC 298 in 2024. The American hurt Dvalishvili early in the first round but succumbed to Dvalishvili’s relentless pace in rounds two and three. ‘The Machine’ mauled Cejudo for a unanimous decision victory.
Henry Cejudo next fight
Cejudo is scheduled to face Song Yadong in the main event of UFC Seattle on February 22. It’s do-or-die for the former double-champion as he faces the prospect of losing three fights in a row.