Cejudo-Dillashaw Superfight Headlines UFC’s ESPN Debut

Mixed martial arts may not have a super flyweight division, but the sport does have a flyweight super fight around the corner.

The 125-pound kingpin Henry Cejudo (13-2) will defend his UFC title against current bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw (16-3).

The battle will go down at UFC Brooklyn on Jan. 26 after being transplanted from UFC 233.

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The UFC was adamant about headlining their first UFC on ESPN show with a needle-moving matchup. They found it as both men are coming off huge wins in their previous fights—both of which happen to be rematches.

At UFC 217, Dillashaw put away Cody Garbrandt for the second time in one calendar year. The Ultimate Fighter 14 runner-up has competed inside the Octagon since 2011, winning the UFC crown in 2014 over Renan Barao.

Cejudo avenged his first-ever loss, finally dethroning Demetrious Johnson at the end of 2018. The two previously met at UFC 197 where Johnson stopped the United States Olympian in one round.

Now in 2019, Cejudo has gold around his waist and Johnson is actually no longer on the roster.

Bookmakers currently see Dillashaw (-200) as the favorite to become the UFC’s seventh two-divisional titleholder. The odds reflect the 32-year-old’s confidence.

“I’m going to continue to grow my legacy and this is just a stepping stone along the way,” Dillashaw said per the Los Angeles Times. “I believe I’m the greatest fighter on this planet right now and I’m going to continue to show it.”