Henry Cejudo is a name synonymous with wrestling greatness. A former Olympic gold medalist, he has amassed an impressive wrestling record that includes national titles, world champions, and more. We delve into the details of Henry Cejudo’s wrestling career, exploring his achievements, accolades, and the legacy he has left behind.
Henry Cejudo was born on February 9, 1987, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in South Central Los Angeles and began wrestling at the age of seven. It didn’t take long for him to realize his talent and passion for the sport.
In high school, Cejudo attended Maryvale High School in Phoenix, Arizona, where he became a three-time Arizona state champion. He then went on to compete at the national level, winning two Junior National Championships.
Henry Cejudo: National Titles and World Champions
Cejudo continued his impressive wrestling career at the senior level, winning three consecutive U.S. National Championships from 2006 to 2008. In 2007, he won the Pan American Games, solidifying his place as one of the top wrestlers in the world.
Cejudo’s international success continued as he won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, becoming the youngest American wrestler to win a gold medal in Olympic history. He also won gold at the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2008 Pan American Championships.
In 2009, Cejudo won the World Wrestling Championships, becoming the first American wrestler to win a gold medal in both the Olympics and the World Championships in the same weight class. He defeated Japanese wrestler Tomohiro Matsunaga in the finals to claim the gold medal.
Olympic Medalist and MMA Career
Cejudo’s Olympic success didn’t stop at Beijing. He qualified for the 2012 London Olympics in the 121 lb weight class, but unfortunately, he fell short of defending his gold medal and settled for a respectable bronze.
Nonetheless, his achievement of winning Olympic medals in two different weight classes is a rare feat that has only been accomplished by a few wrestlers in history.
After the 2012 Olympics, Cejudo retired from wrestling and turned his attention to MMA. He made his professional debut in March 2013 and went on an impressive winning streak, winning his first six fights in a row.
Cejudo quickly climbed the ranks in the MMA world and signed with the UFC in 2014. He continued to dominate his opponents and eventually earned a title shot against Demetrious Johnson in 2018.
In a stunning upset, Cejudo defeated Johnson to claim the UFC flyweight title. He successfully defended his title against TJ Dillashaw and then moved up a weight class to challenge Marlon Moraes for the vacant bantamweight title.
Once again, Cejudo emerged victorious, becoming double division champion, winning the bantamweight title. He fought his last fight against Dominick Cruz, defending his bantamweight title, before retiring. However, he has announced his comeback against Aljamain Sterling.
