Report: Aldo Out Of UFC 250, Cruz To Fight Cejudo For Bantamweight Title
The drama surrounding Henry Cejudo and the UFC Bantamweight Title continues to get more confusing as time goes on.
Cejudo was supposed to face Jose Aldo at UFC 250 for the Bantamweight Title. No longer taking place in Brazil due to the coronavirus, the fight as of now will take place at an undisclosed location, per Dana White. According to Combate, Aldo is out of the fight. The report goes into detail stating the former UFC Featherweight Champion’s visa expired, and the U.S. Embassy is not renewing them during the pandemic.
Set to take Aldo’s place? Dominick Cruz. The two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion posted the following on social media:
“Dear @HenryCejudo, The real king has already been told that we’re fighting May 9th. I’ll see you there. P.S. -Bring your other tiny lil friend @cptdasamericas so I can slap you both around. -Signed, Sealed, Delivered-“
Dear @HenryCejudo,
The real king has already been told that we’re fighting May 9th. I’ll see you there.
P.S. -Bring your other tiny lil friend @cptdasamericas so I can slap you both around. 👋 👋
-Signed, Sealed, Delivered-— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) April 9, 2020
The UFC have yet to confirm the new matchup.
If true, this would continue the trend of wild fights for Cejudo at bantamweight. Aldo, (28-6) is 2-4 in his last six fights. He made his bantamweight debut in December at UFC 245, losing to Marlon Moraes via split decision. While the loss was put into debate, it forced Aldo into a two-fight losing streak. He ended up getting a title opportunity over legitimate contenders like Aljamain Sterling, Cory Sandhagen and Moraes himself.
Cruz (22-2) hasn’t fought since 2016. Considered one of the best bantamweights in UFC history, Cruz has dealt with a number of injuries over his career. After beating Demetrious Johnson in 2011, he took a few years off to recover from a torn ACL,a botched recovery from the surgery and a torn groin. He made a comeback in 2014, beating Takeya Mizugaki via KO. After another torn ACL, he earned a title opportunity against T.J. Dillashaw in 2016, winning the Bantamweight Title via split decision. Considered one of the greatest comebacks in UFC history, Cruz then beat Uriah Faber in a title defense.
Cruz’s last fight was a loss to Cody Garbrandt in 2016 via unanimous decision. A series of injuries then forced him out of the spotlight and into the commentary booth.
In total, Cruz has fought three times since Cejudo’s debut in the UFC in 2014. Cejudo has yet to defend the title since winning it against Moraes at UFC 238.
UFC 250 is scheduled to take place on May 9.