UFC 238 Recap: Cejudo renames himself ‘Triple C’ while Cerrone Blows Up

Blowing your nose Donald? Schoolboy error

By / UFC / 5 years ago

CEJUDO BECOMES A TRIPLE-CHAMP

Henry Cejudo came from behind to finish Marlon Moraes and win the UFC bantamweight title before declaring: “I am the greatest combat athlete of all time!”. Relax there, Henry.

Cejudo, who was the betting underdog – but our pick – heading into his battle for the vacant 135lb title, had a torrid first round, but bounced back brilliantly to finish a tiring Moraes late in the third to become the fourth fighter in history to hold two UFC titles at the same time.

But don’t call Cejudo a “champ champ”. He says he’s on a higher plane than that. “I’m not champ champ, ladies and champion,” he said post-fight. “My name is ‘Triple C’: Olympic champion, flyweight champion of the world and now bantamweight champion of the world. “I am the greatest combat athlete of all time!”

SHEVCHENKO FLATTENS EYE

Even before she set foot in the octagon in Chicago UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina ‘Bullet’ Shevchenko was already considered one of the best female fighters on the planet. But her performance against Jessica Eye left no doubt as she delivered a head kick for the ages to spectacularly knock out Eye and retain her title.

Knockouts don’t get much cleaner, or more brutal than that.

BLOW YOUR NOSE, LOSE THE FIGHT

Truth be told, things weren’t looking great for Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone when he got up from his stool to start the third and final round of his lightweight clash with fellow contender Tony Ferguson. But just before the fight resumed for the final round, Cerrone committed a huge error. He blew his nose.

It caused his already puffed up and causing his right eye to instantly swell and shut, leaving him shocked and completely blind on his right-hand side. Referee Dan Miragliotta saw instantly, called in the doctors, then called off the fight.

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It gave Ferguson the win he wanted, but not in the manner he’d wished for as he moves on as the legitimate top contender to face the winner of the title unification fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier later this year.

BANTAMWEIGHT CONTENDERS WANT THEIR SHOT

While Cejudo won the bantamweight belt in the main event, two bantamweight contenders broke out of the pack to stake their claims for a shot at the gold. Russian boxer Petr ‘No Mercy’ Yan dropped American Jimmie Rivera twice en route to a unanimous decision win, while New York’s Aljamain ‘Funkmaster’ Sterling looked in outstanding form as he outpointed fellow contender Pedro Munhoz.

And Sterling used his post-fight interview to make very clear what he wants next – a shot at the UFC bantamweight title.

We’re MMA mad over over at Paddypower.com

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