May 09, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Henry Cejudo (red gloves) before his fight with Dominick Cruz (blue gloves) during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jacen Vinlow – USA TODAY Sports
Henry Cejudo is synonymous with the greatness of wrestlers. A former Olympic gold medalist, he has amassed an impressive wrestling record including national titles, world titles and more. We dive into the details of Henry Cejudo’s wrestling career, exploring his accomplishments, honors and legacy.
Henry Cejudo was born on February 9, 1987 in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in South Central Los Angeles and started wrestling at the age of seven. It didn’t take long for him to realize his talent and passion for the sport.
In high school, Cejudo attended Maryvale High School in Phoenix, Arizona where he was a three-time Arizona State Champion. He then went on to compete at the national level, winning two national junior championships.
Cejudo continued his impressive senior wrestling career by winning three consecutive U.S. National Championships from 2006 to 2008. In 2007, he won the Pan American Games, securing his status as one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Cejudo continued his international success by winning a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, becoming the youngest American wrestler in Olympic history to win a gold medal. He also won gold medals at the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2008 Pan American Championships.
In 2009, Cejudo won the World Championship Wrestling, becoming the first American wrestler to win gold in both the Olympics and World Championships in the same weight class. In the final, he defeated Japanese wrestler Tomohiro Matsunaga to win the gold medal.
Cejudo’s Olympic success didn’t stop in Beijing. He qualified for the 2012 London Olympics in the 121lb weight class but unfortunately failed to defend his gold medal, earning only an honorary bronze.
However, his Olympic medals in two different weight divisions is a rare feat accomplished by only a handful of wrestlers in history.
After the 2012 Olympics, Cejudo retired from wrestling and turned his attention to MMA. He made his debut in March 2013 and had an impressive streak, winning his first six fights in a row.
Cejudo quickly rose in the MMA world rankings and signed with the UFC in 2014. He continued to dominate his opponents and eventually challenged Demetrius Johnson for the title in 2018.
In a shocking bout, Cejudo defeated Johnson for the UFC Lightweight Championship. He successfully defended his title against T.J. Dillashaw, then moved up in weight to face Marlon Moraes for the vacant bantamweight title.
Cejudo won again and became champion in two weight divisions, winning the bantamweight title. He defended his bantamweight title in his last fight against Dominick Cruz before retiring. However, he has already announced his return against Aljaman Sterling.
Himakshu Vyas is a journalist with a passion for uncovering the truth and writing compelling stories. With a decade of unwavering support for Manchester United and a love of football and mixed martial arts, Himakshu brings a unique perspective to the sporting world. His daily obsession with mixed martial arts training keeps him fit and gives him the look of an athlete. He is a big fan of UFC “The Notorious” Connor McGregor and Jon Jones, admiring their dedication and discipline. When not exploring the world of sports, Himakshu loves to travel and cook, adding his own touch to various dishes. Ready to deliver exceptional content, this dynamic and driven reporter is always eager to share his thoughts with his readers.
Post time: May-05-2023