LAS VEGAS – While a majority might disagree with Henry Cejudo’s next opponent, Marlon Moraes thinks otherwise.
Former dual champion Cejudo (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) still is scheduled to make his first bantamweight title defense against Jose Aldo on May 9 in the main event of UFC 250, despite concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
But with an array of hungry contenders such as Petr Yan, Aljamain Sterling and Cory Sandhagen waiting for their shot at the title, Cejudo opted to face former featherweight king Aldo, who failed to make good in his 135-pound debut against Moraes at UFC 245.
Moraes (23-6-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC), the one to spoil Aldo’s bantamweight debut, thinks Cejudo actually made the right choice.
“I think it’s a smart decision,” Moraes said at a recent Dominance MMA media day. “Henry, it’s his position, he’s the champion, he won two belts, he gave up the flyweight division, and he pick a good fight. Good opponent for him. Aldo’s a legend, and we’ll see what happens, but I think he was smart. He took a good fight for him.”
Cejudo captured the vacant UFC bantamweight title by taking out Moraes last June, but he hasn’t competed since. He’s received heavy criticism for picking Aldo off of a loss, but Cejudo is more concerned with paving his own path.
“My last three opponents … because I am getting a lot of (expletive), Petr Yan, Aljamain Sterling,” Cejudo said. “My last three opponents – Demitrious Johnson, probably the greatest MMA fighter of all time, beat him. Second was T.J. Dillashaw, the guy that was on EPO, the greatest bantamweight of all time, beat him. Then the killer (Moraes) back here, man’s been knocking people out – his last three opponents he knocked out in the first round.
“Guys, Petr Yan, he fought a 40-year-old retired skateboarder, Aljamain Sterling? Give me the name, I deserve the name, and it was a close fight with Marlon and Aldo. Man, Aldo, he’s a legend. I’m out here to take names, but I’m out here to build my own legacy. If you guys don’t like it, like Dana said, don’t watch it. But I know you guys are.”
