UFC President Dana White’s plan is in motion.
The promotion today announced flyweight champion Henry Cejudo (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) will take on bantamweight No. 1 contender Marlon Moraes (22-5 MMA, 4-1 UFC) for the vacant 135-pound title at UFC 238.
UFC 238 takes place June 8 at United Center in Chicago. The event’s main card airs live on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN+ and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.
The booking comes shortly after White sketched out a plan for the bantamweight title. The belt was vacated by T.J. Dillashaw this past week following an adverse drug test result in connection with his failed bid for Cejudo’s title at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in January.
White named Cejudo and Moraes as the challengers for the title, with flyweight contenders Joseph Benavidez and Jussier Formiga serving as backup fighters in case either one of the bantamweights were unable to make it. If there were no complications, Benavidez and Formiga would fight for the next shot at the flyweight title, White said.
Cejudo pressed for an opportunity to be the promotion’s next two-division champ after a first-round stoppage of Dillashaw. The UFC was expected to make a rematch at bantamweight when Dillashaw vacated the belt.
Moraes, a former WSOF champ, has won his past four fights at 135 pounds, including a rematch win over top contender Raphael Assuncao.
For more on UFC 238, visit the UFC Rumors section of the site.
