It seems the UFC’s Flyweight division still has some life left in it after all.
After the long-discussed bout between current UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw (16 – 3) and current UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo (13 – 2) was recently announced, it left the majority of fans perplexed. The fight is reported to take place at flyweight, and not bantamweight.
UFC 233 takes place January 26th at the Honda Center in Anaheim California. Another highly anticipated fight between Ben Askren and Robbie Lawler is slated to happen at this event. The main topic of conversation regarding this event, however, is the fact that it may very well be the last time we see flyweights fight under the UFC banner. In the past week, we have seen a number of talented fighters cut from the roster such as Jose Torres, Jarred Brooks, and Justin Scoggins to name a few. The obvious triggering point was when the UFC traded former pound-for-pound #1 Ranked fighter and former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson to ONE Championship in exchange for Ben Askren. The imminent closure of the division seemed near but now in a puzzling – or maybe strategic move, the UFC will hold the awaited fight between TJ and Henry at 125.
Both Men Fought at UFC 227
Discussions of a potential fight between the two champions began in August when both combatants successfully won their respective matches at UFC 227 at the Staples Center. TJ Dillashaw was able to put away former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt in the first round in their rematch. This was T.J’s first successful title defense. Henry Cejudo won via split decision against former flyweight king Demetrious Johnson to capture the belt in a rematch of their own.
With Johnson now beginning the next chapter of his career at ONE Championship the possibilities of having a grudge match between him and Cejudo will wait indefinitely. This opens a unique window of opportunity that very few UFC fighters get – and only two candidates of greatest fighters of all time – have succeeded in accomplishing. TJ Dillashaw now has the chance to become the third person to hold two UFC titles simultaneously. Only current UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and “The Notorious” Conor McGregor have been able to achieve this illustrious achievement. Both, however, were eventually stripped of a title.
But that’s exactly it. If TJ does succeed it will only be for an instant as that will be the final nail in the coffin of an under-appreciated division of flyweights. If the UFC wants to get rid of their division then so be it. But let fans have the awaited super fight between TJ and Henry at a division that isn’t going to be eradicated a moment later.
The UFC is Depending on T.J to Finish off the Division
Let them have the fight take place at 135lbs so that Henry Cejudo can get accustomed to his new weight division. TJ Dillashaw will now have to go through an extensive weight cut to compete at 125. This reduces his chances of an optimal performance. It seems the UFC is attempting to raise the stock of TJ Dillashaw with hopes that he is triumphant. He will be only the third man in UFC history to be a dual champion and will continue his career as the last flyweight champion in history.
What happens if Henry Cejudo wins?
Henry Cejudo’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz went to Twitter to suggest that if the current champion is successful in defending his title, the flyweight division will remain to have fights.
The future of the UFC’s Flyweight division seems like it is approaching curtain call. Yet it seems that the outcome of this super fight between TJ and Henry will ultimately decide its fate.
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