During Dominance MMA managements press conference, Saturday, March 8, hosted by founder of the company, Ali Abdelaziz, Henry Cejudo took more heat for his upcoming bantamweight title defense against former featherweight king, Jose Aldo.
After the press conference, Cejudo caught up with ESPN’s Brett Okomoto where he was asked again about the overall poor reception by fans after the title fight was scheduled, last month.
Cejudo used the platform as an opportunity to cut a promo for the fight, and he gave a response that was hard to dispute.
“I’m gonna break it down to two parts,” said Cejudo. “One, my last three fights, who I fought. The greatest, probably the greatest fighter of all-time in Demetrious Johnson, that’s at flyweight. The greatest bantamweight of all-time, TJ Dillashaw (who was on EPO when Cejudo defeated him). The number one contender at bantamweight, Marlon Moraes, who knocked out his last three opponents in the first round,” he added. “Petr Yan beat a – Petr Yan beat a 41-year-old retired skateboarder, (Urijah Faber). Aljamain Sterling got knocked out by a guy that I knocked out (Marlon Moraes) and plus I don’t mess with sterling silver. This is why I wanna fight Jose (Aldo). Triple C’s out here, goat killing, and on May 9, I’m (gonna) be serving goat.”
Okomoto followed that up by asking Cejudo what he thought of Aldo, while he was still climbing the ranks in the UFC, and Aldo was still champion.
“He’s a legend man, you’re kidding me,” said Cejudo. “All the people he’s lost to, have all been for title fights, or against the best. He’s the greatest featherweight of all-time, I’ve always respected him. I’m a – I’m a big fan of him, I’m a big fan of Aldo,” he added. “The bantamweight division, I’m not saying those guys are not – not as good, but they haven’t beat nobody. They really haven’t. I can’t really say, ‘okay he’s beat somebody that’s worthy to fight the Triple C.’ And I can say that about Petr Yan and Aljamain (Sterling).”
The poor reception from fans is due to the fact that Aldo is getting the title shot after coming off a split-decision loss to Marlon Moraes in his bantamweight debut, which also happens to be the only fight Aldo’s had in the division thus far.
Fans and top bantamweight contenders such as Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling have been vocal that Aldo isn’t the most deserving of the opportunity when you take those factors into account.
Cejudo is set to make his first title defense against Aldo on Saturday, May 9, at UFC 250 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which will be enemy territory for the champion.
The fight will take place almost one year after Cejudo won the vacant bantamweight title last June against Moraes at UFC 238.
