American · Peoria, USA · Born 9 February 1987Dethroned Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title, then moved up to win the bantamweight belt, becoming a two-division champion.
Henry Carlos Cejudo was born on 9 February 1987 in Los Angeles, California, to Mexican immigrant parents, the second-youngest of seven siblings. His father's struggles with drug and alcohol abuse and violent behaviour led the family to move frequently around Los Angeles, and Cejudo has spoken candidly about this unstable upbringing shaping his relentless competitive drive. Cejudo became a four-time state wrestling champion across Arizona and Colorado, training as a resident athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, and won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2008 Beijing Olympics at just 21, becoming the youngest American Olympic wrestling champion in history at the time. Cejudo, nicknamed "Triple C," transitioned to mixed martial arts and won the UFC Flyweight Championship in 2018, later adding the Bantamweight Championship in 2019 to become just the fourth fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two divisions simultaneously. Cejudo retired in 2020 before an unsuccessful comeback attempt against Aljamain Sterling in 2023, and is widely considered one of the greatest combined wrestling and MMA champions in combat sports history, having also pursued a return to competitive freestyle wrestling in his later career.
2008 Olympic wrestling gold medalist turned UFC 'Triple C' dual-division champion
How They Played
Cejudo's fighting style was built around his elite wrestling foundation, utilizing superior takedowns and ground control. He developed solid striking over his career, particularly his boxing combinations and leg kicks. His cardio and relentless pressure often wore down opponents over five rounds.
Lasting Impact
Cejudo is remembered as one of the most accomplished combat sports athletes ever, bridging Olympic wrestling success with UFC championship glory. His ability to capture titles in two weight classes solidified his place among MMA's elite fighters.
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold Medal, freestyle wrestling 2008
- UFC Flyweight Champion 2018
- UFC Bantamweight Champion 2019
American Athletes