Henry Carlos Cejudo Bio
Henry Carlos Cejudo is an American Olympic gold medalist freestyle wrestler and former professional mixed martial artist. Born on February 9, 1987, in Los Angeles, California, Cejudo is renowned for his achievements in both wrestling and MMA, notably holding UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight titles simultaneously. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest combat athletes due to his historic accomplishments, including being the youngest American wrestling Olympic gold medalist and a distinguished UFC double champion.
Early Life and Background
Henry Carlos Cejudo was born in Los Angeles, California, to Mexican immigrant parents. He is the second youngest of seven siblings. His early life was marked by hardship, including a turbulent family environment caused by his father’s substance abuse and legal troubles. When Cejudo was four, his mother fled with her children to New Mexico to escape the violence. After his father was deported, the family eventually settled in Phoenix, Arizona, where they lived in poverty despite his mother’s multiple jobs.
Cejudo never had his own bed until USA Wrestling provided one during his residency at the US Olympic Training Center. He also competed as an amateur boxer, winning the state Copper Gloves tournament in Phoenix in 2010. He attended Coronado High School and Maryvale High School before enrolling at Grand Canyon University, where he graduated in 2015 with a degree in Theology.
Path to MMA
Inspired by his older brother Angel Cejudo, a four-time undefeated state wrestling champion, Henry also excelled in wrestling during high school, winning multiple state titles in Arizona and Colorado. He was named ASICS National High School Wrestler of the Year in 2006 and was selected for USA Wrestling Magazine’s Dream Team of High School All-Americans. After winning the Fargo National title in freestyle wrestling, he trained full-time at the United States Olympic Training Center preparing for international competition.
After a decorated wrestling career, including winning Olympic gold in 2008, Cejudo transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2013. Despite wrestling at 121 pounds, he debuted in MMA at 135 pounds and quickly built a 6–0 record before signing with the UFC. He was ranked the top bantamweight prospect in 2013 prior to joining the premier MMA organization.
Henry Carlos Cejudo Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
Henry Cejudo began his MMA career in 2013, winning his debut fight by TKO. Over the next year, he amassed an undefeated 6–0 record with victories by knockout, submission, and decision. He signed with the UFC in 2014, becoming the third Olympic gold medalist wrestler to compete in the organization. Cejudo made his UFC debut in December 2014 with a unanimous decision win at bantamweight, followed by wins at flyweight in 2015, establishing himself as a rising contender.
During this period, Cejudo demonstrated his wrestling prowess and striking improvements, securing unanimous decision victories over notable opponents. He also earned recognition for his technical skills and athleticism, setting the stage for his ascent in the UFC flyweight division.
UFC Flyweight Breakthrough (2016–2018)
In 2016, Cejudo challenged Demetrious Johnson for the UFC Flyweight title but lost via first-round TKO. He served as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 24 and continued to refine his skills. In 2017, he earned a Performance of the Night bonus with a TKO win over Wilson Reis and followed with a unanimous decision win against Sergio Pettis.
His breakthrough came in August 2018 when Cejudo rematched Demetrious Johnson at UFC 227, winning via split decision to claim the UFC Flyweight Championship. This victory made him the first Olympic gold medalist to win a UFC title and earned Fight of the Night honors. He successfully defended the flyweight title in January 2019 with a 32-second TKO over T.J. Dillashaw, showcasing his striking power and tactical acumen.
Double Champion Era (2019–2020, 2023–Present)
In June 2019, Cejudo captured the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship by defeating Marlon Moraes via third-round TKO, becoming the fourth UFC fighter to hold titles simultaneously in two weight classes. He relinquished the flyweight title later that year to focus on bantamweight. After a shoulder injury, he returned in 2020 to defeat Dominick Cruz by second-round TKO before announcing his retirement from professional fighting.
After nearly three years away, Cejudo returned in 2023 to challenge Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title but lost by split decision. He withdrew from a scheduled fight in August 2023 due to injury and was defeated by Merab Dvalishvili in February 2024. His upcoming bouts include a fight against Song Yadong in February 2025 and a scheduled retirement fight later that year.
Driving Style and Strengths
Henry Cejudo’s fighting style is rooted in his Olympic freestyle wrestling background, complemented by striking skills developed over his MMA career. He is known for his speed, technical wrestling, and ability to control opponents on the ground. His strategic approach and adaptability have been key to his success across two UFC weight divisions, supported by his training with the Fight Ready team and coach Eric Albarracin.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cejudo’s career highlights include becoming the youngest American Olympic gold medalist in wrestling history at age 21, winning UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight titles simultaneously, and being the second UFC fighter to defend titles in two weight classes. His victory over Demetrious Johnson marked a historic moment in MMA, and his rapid TKO win over T.J. Dillashaw showcased his striking evolution.
Henry Carlos Cejudo Career Wins
Henry Cejudo has accumulated 16 professional MMA wins out of 22 fights, with victories spanning knockouts, decisions, and a strong wrestling foundation. His career includes championship wins in two UFC weight divisions and multiple performance bonuses.
UFC Highlights
Cejudo’s UFC career features key wins such as his flyweight title victory over Demetrious Johnson and bantamweight title win against Marlon Moraes. He defended the flyweight title with a swift TKO over T.J. Dillashaw and secured a notable win against Dominick Cruz. His UFC record reflects his status as a two-division champion and a top competitor in the sport.
Other Wins & Performances
Prior to joining the UFC, Cejudo compiled an undefeated record in regional MMA promotions, showcasing his knockout and submission capabilities. His wrestling accolades include multiple national and international titles, including Pan American Games gold and US National Championships.
Henry Carlos Cejudo Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Henry Cejudo comes from a large family of seven siblings. His older brother Angel Cejudo was an undefeated four-time state wrestling champion and an international representative for the United States, serving as an early inspiration for Henry’s wrestling career.
Personal Life
Cejudo is married and has two sons. He resides in Phoenix, Arizona, where he continues to train and contribute to the combat sports community.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Henry Cejudo is scheduled to compete in the UFC Bantamweight division, including a main event fight against Song Yadong and a planned retirement bout later in the year. Despite recent setbacks, Cejudo remains active in MMA and continues to compete in freestyle wrestling. His focus is on leveraging his experience and skills to make a strong impact in his final professional fights.