Henry Cejudo hasn’t given up on fighting Jose Aldo.
Cejudo (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC), the UFC bantamweight champion, originally was scheduled to face Aldo on May 9 before travel ban restrictions in Brazil forced Aldo out, and he was replaced by Dominick Cruz.
According to his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, Cejudo let the UFC know that, after Cruz, he wants Aldo. Abdelaziz also revealed that Frankie Edgar was actually Cejudo’s No. 1 choice, but he likely wouldn’t have had enough time to cut down to 135 pounds.
Despite the heavy criticism on Cejudo’s choice of opponents, Abdelaziz says, considering the accolades of these former champions, they all make for worthy opponents.
“At the time we’re in, there’s no such thing as he deserves it or not,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “Listen, let’s be real: Aldo didn’t deserve this by the numbers and by the rankings, but what Aldo has done throughout his career, what Dominick Cruz has done throughout his career, what Frankie Edgar has done throughout his career, and if you want to take these legends, listen, if Henry wins … eight weeks later he said he wants to fight Aldo. If we can get Aldo, he’s gonna fight Aldo.”
While the likes of Aljamain Sterling, Cory Sandhagen and Petr Yan are all top contenders, according to the rankings, Cejudo has made it clear that, at the moment, he’s chasing legacy. And he has the support of his manager.
“Still, the next opponent is Jose Aldo. It’s none of these other guys,” Abdelaziz said. “This is what he wants, and this is what’s a deal. He told the UFC, but I know Aldo has some travel issues or some visa issues, I don’t know. But also, how are you gonna say no to Aldo? This guy is one of the best lighter weights we’ve ever seen.”
Ali Abdelaziz: Henry Cejudo isn't wavering from Jose Aldo fight after Dominick Cruz
