[autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] is, in many ways, happy that [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] is no longer UFC flyweight champion.
The Olympic gold medalist gave up his 125-pound UFC title on Thursday night to now only hold the UFC bantamweight belt. Cejudo, one of just four dual champions in UFC history, has been on the sidelines recovering from shoulder surgery. He last fought in June where he won the vacant bantamweight title, defeating Marlon Moraes. It’s been almost a year since Cejudo defended the flyweight belt.
Munhoz (18-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC), who’s a top contender in the bantamweight division, sees the benefits of Cejudo dropping the flyweight title.
“I understand we get hurt, and things happen, but being hurt he’s holding two belts,” Munhoz told MMA Junkie. “I understand he’s hurt, there’s nothing we can do about it, but I’m glad they made that decision (to relinquish) and let the flyweights do their thing.”
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No doubt Cejudo (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) leaving the division is good for the fighters competing at 125 pounds, as the belt is once again back in business. It can also be seen as a good thing for the guys at 135 pounds since the champion now only has an obligation to one weight class.
But despite the news, things can still be hazy for contenders at bantamweight since Cejudo’s callouts don’t exactly align with the UFC rankings. Munhoz is well aware of what’s going on at the top of his division.
He also feels for his friend, Jussier Formiga, who was on a four-fight winning streak that included a win over Deiveson Figueiredo – the man fighting Joseph Benavidez for the vacant flyweight title – before having it come to an end in June against Benavidez himself.
“Cejudo is the bantamweight champion, and it looks like he wants to fight Jose Aldo,” Munhoz said. “And that’s the reason why I called out Jose Aldo, because it made no sense him being No. 9 in the rankings and then fighting for the title after losing his most recent fight (against Marlon Moraes at UFC 245), so you know, it’s something that’s part of the politics that I’m not aware of.
“So yeah, I actually heard the news from somebody this morning, and I was like, ‘Yeah that’s good.’ But one thing that kind of sucked was that Formiga – my teammate – beat Deiveson Figueiredo, the guy who’s fighting Joseph Benavidez for the title. But yeah, I’m excited to see the new faces (at flyweight) and show they’re capable.”
Munhoz last fought in June when he suffered a decision loss to Aljamain Sterling. Prior to that, he was on a three-fight winning streak capped off by a big knockout win over former champion Cody Garbrandt. Munhoz eyes a return sometime for early 2020 and wants a top-five opponent.
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