Henry Cejudo took a stance that he wouldn’t fight in Las Vegas because of their handling of Nick Diaz’s disciplinary hearing this fall, but with a potential settlement coming in that case, the Olympic Gold Medalist may be more willing to come to Nevada.
After his latest victory on Saturday night at UFC Fight Night 78, one which may have earned him a shot at the UFC Flyweight Championship, Cejudo said he’s willing to reconsider his Nevada stance if the Diaz situation gets adequately resolved.
“I think there’s due process going on,” Cejudo said at the post-fight press conference (via MMAFighting.com). “So as soon as that gets overturned, we can talk. I mean, obviously I’m not my own boss. I’d have to sit down and talk to everybody from the UFC and decide what we’re gonna do. [As long as] Nick Diaz is freed, I’ll fight in Vegas.”
That’s where current Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson wants his next fight to happen, as he’s targeted Super Bowl weekend and UFC 196 for his return bout. Cejudo thinks he should be next in line, but if Vegas is out of the question, he’s ready for any other fight the UFC might put in front of him.
“I believe Demetrious Johnson, he’s fought the top contenders at flyweight,” Cejudo said. “I’m an Olympic wrestler, high-caliber wrestler. I have good defense. I’m 10-0 and thus far, 4-0 in the UFC. And I’ve fought four times in about 10 months, I believe. I believe I’m next in line. It’s up to the UFC, but I’ll fight whomever, whenever. Minus maybe Vegas.”
Penick’s Analysis: Cejudo should be the next to face Johnson, and it’s probably going to wind up happening in Vegas on Feb. 6 with Diaz’s expected settlement with the NAC. It’s the best fight for Johnson at flyweight outside of perhaps a third fight with Joseph Benavidez, and Cejudo’s earned it with four straight UFC wins. The fight makes sense at this point, and I think we’ll wind up seeing it come together.
[Photo (c) Tom Heitman via USA Today Sports]
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