Which of his two championship belts will Henry Cejudo defend first?
CHICAGO — There have been loads of storylines going into Saturday’s UFC 238, and there is likely to be much more of them to debate popping out of the occasion.
After trying horrible within the opening spherical of his bantamweight title combat towards Marlon Moraes, flyweight champion Henry Cejudo delivered one of the crucial memorable performances of the yr to assert his second championship by way of third-round TKO.
Additionally on Saturday evening, flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko produced the most effective knockouts of 2019, and Tony Ferguson loved a triumphant return towards the most effective within the enterprise in Donald Cerrone.
What’s subsequent for Cejudo, Shevchenko, Ferguson, Cerrone and the opposite high names of UFC 238? Here is ESPN’s take.
Which of Henry Cejudo’s two title belts will he defend first? Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Photographs
Henry Cejudo, bantamweight
Outcome: defeated Marlon Moraes by way of third-round TKO
Subsequent: Aljamain Sterling
I type of agonized over this one, truthfully, as a result of a giant, large a part of me could be fully on board with Cejudo vs. Dominick Cruz. To recap, Cejudo has now defeated Demetrious Johnson (possibly the very best fighter of all time), two-time champion TJ Dillashaw and knockout machine Moraes. Going from that to Cruz, the very best bantamweight of all time, could be an effective way to maintain the momentum going. As a fan, I would be all about this.
However the actuality is, Cruz has not gained a combat since June 2016. He has not even been in a combat since December 2016. Sterling is coming off one of the crucial spectacular performances of his profession, a choice towards Pedro Munhoz on Saturday. He seems nice and he is deserving of a shot. I wish to see Cejudo vs. Cruz sometime, however Sterling is the fitting matchup now.
Marlon Moraes, bantamweight
Outcome: misplaced to Henry Cejudo by way of third-round TKO
Subsequent: Petr Yan
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Why not? I do know the UFC would not wish to e-book fights between one man coming off a win and one other coming off a loss, however that is the fitting combat, is it not? Yan has appeared nothing wanting unbelievable within the UFC. He has gone 5-Zero in a span of 12 months. He is coming off Saturday’s convincing win over Jimmie Rivera in a bout he instructed me he did not have the very best coaching camp for.
Moraes appeared nice towards Cejudo earlier than issues turned in a giant method within the second spherical. Stylistically, this combat could be an enormous crowd pleaser. The UFC would not must observe its unstated rule about “winners combating winners,” as a result of the promotion makes its personal guidelines! I like this combat loads.
Valentina Shevchenko, flyweight
Outcome: defeated Jessica Eye by way of second-round KO
Subsequent: Katlyn Chookagian
I am not gonna lie. I concern for Shevchenko’s opponents proper now. Real concern for his or her well-being. I do know Shevchenko is just one title protection in, however I am already questioning whether or not she may cross Demetrious Johnson’s UFC document of 11 consecutive title defenses. She is that dominant. And no disrespect, however this 125-pound division doesn’t have the expertise to problem her proper now.
The most effective it may possibly supply in the meanwhile is Chookagian, who’s a formidable 12-2 (with each losses coming by way of break up choice). Chookagian has separated herself from the pack, and he or she’ll nonetheless be an enormous underdog to Shevchenko. She deserves the shot and he or she ought to get it. And I will probably be crossing my fingers for her security if she does.
Tony Ferguson, light-weight
Outcome: defeated Donald Cerrone by way of second-round TKO
Subsequent: winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 on Sept. 7
Not solely is Ferguson essentially the most deserving light-weight contender, he is likely to be essentially the most deserving title contender within the historical past of the UFC. I needn’t sit right here and inform you why Ferguson’s subsequent combat needs to be for the belt, as a result of it would be stating the plain. The person has gained 12 fights in a row.
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The one factor that will stop Ferguson’s title shot is the 800-pound gorilla that’s Conor McGregor. McGregor desires a rematch towards Nurmagomedov, and the UFC is aware of that is a profitable combat.
You realize what I’d like to see? I’d like to see the UFC put money into educating the informal fan base why it ought to watch a Tony Ferguson light-weight title combat. I’d like to see Dana White exit and promote like he has by no means promoted earlier than. Do not ask informal followers to tune in to a UFC title combat. Inform them why they’ve to look at this UFC title combat. Inform them why Ferguson is getting the shot, not McGregor. Tackle it. Construct it.
Perhaps I am naive, however I feel there is a solution to do proper by Ferguson and the game, and nonetheless have it make sense from a enterprise standpoint, as a result of the mere indisputable fact that the UFC would go for one thing apart from an apparent cash combat involving McGregor would intrigue informal sports activities followers and power them to say, “OK, inform me about this Tony man.”
Donald Cerrone, light-weight
Outcome: misplaced to Tony Ferguson by way of second-round TKO
Subsequent: Jose Aldo
If Cerrone’s coronary heart was damaged on Saturday, after watching his light-weight title marketing campaign take a significant hit, he did not present it. He was all smiles within the again. He shook my hand on his method out of the sector and mentioned, “See you on the subsequent one,” along with his household, associates and younger son in tow. Come Monday, I think about he’ll be on a ship someplace sipping Budweiser. Not a care on the earth.
And when he does return, are you able to think about if it have been a light-weight bout towards the good Jose Aldo? I imply, I keep in mind pondering when Cerrone fought Robbie Lawler, “I do not know the way I might be extra hyped.” After which, on Saturday, when he walked into the Octagon to face Ferguson, I once more mentioned, “Unsure how I might be extra hyped.” Cerrone vs. Aldo in Brazil? That will be hype overload for me. Aldo is coming off a loss to Alex Volkanovski. He is executed all of it at featherweight. His coach instructed me this yr he is contemplating shifting up. Let’s do it. Light-weight. Two legends.