Without a doubt, the recent display of excellence by Henry Cejudo on Saturday night was truly remarkable. It is evident that this outstanding performance is likely to cement his position in the future trajectory and perhaps shape the collective destinies of all male contenders in the featherweight division of the UFC.
Amidst the buzz surrounding the sport, with talks of the UFC contemplating the discontinuation of the 125-pound division, possibly catalyzed by TJ Dillashaw’s bold proclamation that he was sent to dismantle the weight class, “The Messenger” wasted no time in presenting a compelling rebuttal. He swiftly dispatched Dillashaw in a mere 32 seconds during the headline bout of the UFC Fight Night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
‘Where art thou, Uncle Dana? Where dost thou conceal thyself?’ Cejudo quipped, scanning the cage for UFC president Dana White. ‘This triumph, as I aforestated, transcends my personal victory. It signifies a monumental moment for the flyweights.
‘This conquest is dedicated to every flyweight aspirant craving the chance to vie for a world title in the future.’
It is noteworthy that White conspicuously evaded queries regarding the fate of the 125-pound division in the lead-up to the bout. Despite witnessing his flyweight champion’s radiant victory, he remained reticent about the division’s future. ‘I am uncertain,’ he relayed to ESPN when interrogated about the division’s continuation in the UFC. ‘The future path remains elusive to me. My stance is yet to be defined.’
Undoubtedly, the UFC has encountered challenges in gaining traction for its flyweight division amongst both the audience and fans. Following Demetrious Johnson’s six-year reign and 11 successful title defenses, Cejudo’s contentious victory led to the departure of “Mighty Mouse” to One Championship in Asia, along with the release of additional 125-pound competitors from their UFC contracts.
