UFC 197: Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo – A Closer Look 97

It goes without saying that in the UFC the top of each weight class is a continuously evolving and extremely competitive field to maneuver.  As a matter of fact, in the last 15 months every single title in the men’s and women’s divisions has changed hands at some point. Well, all except for just one. The first and only 125-pound belt holder in the organization continues vibrantly painting his stellar masterpiece of a career while using mixed martial arts history as his canvas. But now, the champion meets his biggest and toughest test to date in an undefeated former Olympian set to throw everything off course from inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Here is a closer look at what to expect this weekend in the co-main event of the UFC 197 PPV from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Photo by Armando Romo

Ranked as the #2 flyweight in the UFC, “The Messenger” Henry Cejudo (10-0) has yet to lose inside the Octagon or in his professional MMA career.  Before transitioning over to the cage however, the Californian knew success all too well when he sizzled on a different kind of mat. He became a 4-time State Champion and US Nationals Wrestling Champion- the first high school wrestler to win a US Nationals. The Pan American Games and Pan American Championships gold medalist made the inevitable move to compete in the biggest wrestling stage of them all by representing his country in the 2008 Beijing Olympics for Freestyle Wrestling. There, not only did the Los Angelino score the highest of honors by taking home the gold medal but he also became the youngest American to do so. Cejudo aimed for a second medal but unfortunately, he came up short at the 2012 Olympic trials and thus decided to retire from wrestling prompting a move to the ultimate plateau of combat sports.

The gold medalist made his MMA debut in 2013 weaving his way throughout the smaller organizations as he strung together a 5-fight winning streak, 4 of them by TKO. He secured one more win in 2014 before the UFC came calling for “The Messenger” to move on up to the big leagues. They matched him up against the seasoned Dustin Kimura and Cejudo made a successful Octagon debut by way of a decision victory. The unbeaten warrior secured three more triumphs all in the same fashion over 1-time UFC title contender Chris Cariaso, Chico Camus, and Jussier Formiga in 2015. Cejudo’s perfected blend of good footwork, a stiff jab, crisp left hook and slick takedowns have earned him a reputation as a powerful offensive machine with solid conditioning and a sturdy chin. His willingness to stand in the pocket and trade in all of his matches is a testament to this as the California native isn’t your typical wrestler who will blanket an opponent en-route to a points verdict and Saturday night should be no exception.

The first and only 125-pound UFC champion, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson (23-2-1) has yet to lose inside the Octagon as a flyweight.  Incidentally, the only pair of blemishes on his ledger, both by decision, date back to his days at 135lbs. The first during his run in the WEC to Brad Pickett in 2010 and the second to 2-time 135-pound UFC champion, Dominick Cruz, in 2011.

Since the flyweight division’s introduction to the Octagon in 2012 the Washingtonian has undoubtedly become its kingpin.  After headlining and winning a UFC on FX card to determine a title eliminator, he tangled with 3-1 favorite Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152 that fall. Johnson nabbed a split decision that night being crowned the newly minted UFC flyweight champion. “Mighty Mouse” would go on to successfully defend the title 7 consecutive times. The first 3 during  2013 against John Dodson, whom he beat via unanimous decision, then John Moraga by 5th round armbar submission that summer and finally, just before Christmas, a sensational 1st round KO of Joseph Benavidez at (2:08) of their rematch. In June of 2014 Johnson cruised to a unanimous decision over Ali Bagautinov then that fall he headlined his first show in Las Vegas for UFC 178 by overwhelming Chris Cariaso via 2nd round Kimura submission. He marched into 2015 and submitted grappling ace, Kyoji Horiguchi that April with a fantastic armbar submission at (4:59) of the 5th round, a record for the latest finish in a UFC title bout. For his 7th title defense in the fall at UFC 191, Johnson battled John Dodson in a rematch taking a clear-cut unanimous decision in his second Las Vegas headliner. This Saturday Johnson aims to tie former belt holder, Jon Jones’, record of 8 championship title defenses and he does so against the first Olympic wrestler that he has ever faced. His foe’s footwork is slick and his jab is tenacious but the movement of the champ is hornet-like and he buzzes on that canvas gliding in and out of the pocket landing deadly punches and lightning-fast kicks while doubling or tripling his jab before dropping levels for excellent takedowns.

The ongoing debate of who is the current top “pound for pound” king in MMA has lost allot steam in the last year due to the memorable upsets and belts flopping around like hot potatoes.  The debate now more and more comes to the reasonable conclusion that: the throne belongs to one Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson for his magnificent title run and unparalleled success. There is no one to compare him to since the Washington native is the George Washington or Neil Armstrong of the division; the first to ever do it. He has masterfully created a class of his own while simultaneously being its teacher.  Some new noteworthy faces have battled their way to the front of the line for a shot at that very recognition and unbeaten title contender, Hendry Cejudo, is the latest to scratch his way to the peak of the mountain but does he have what it takes to sit atop?

In contrast to the champion’s roots in the fight game, Cejudo started training to fight professionally only 24 months ago opting to bypass any amateur bouts. Johnson has had almost as many title matches as the former Olympian has had matches and his record almost triples that of Cejudo’s.  Upsets do happen in the sport and by definition the undefeated Cejudo does not know what it is like to lose. Nevertheless, this will be his stiffest competition and while he has looked good in previous UFC outings, Cejudo must be great on Saturday night. The man across from him may not have medaled but he is just as apt as any wrestler in the Octagon and combines it with a fighting IQ that seems almost immeasurable. Neither man has ever been submitted or knocked out so it will be very interesting to see how their strengths play out on the mat or when transitioned to a stand-up battle. Maybe they’ll cancel out and an exciting firefight ensues guarantying a barnburner thanks to two warriors locked in the cage that always come forward and never back down.

Seven times in “Mighty Mouse’s” title reign we’ve seen how the movie ends: the champion gets his arm raised. So, are fans going to be treated to the expected outcome or will “The Messenger” spring some mouse traps and play the role of spoiler in this feature presentation?  Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena something special awaits as title contender, Cejudo challenges history or the flyweight champion, Johnson, further cements his legacy with an incredible 8^th world title defense as the UFC 197 PPV co-main event from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.