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Dillashaw would ultimately relinquish his title after testing positive for EPO following his failed flyweight title bid in early 2019, which resulted in an interim title fight being set up between flyweight champion Henry Cejudo and top contender Marlon Moraes.
Cejudo had done quick work on Dillashaw in January, catching him seconds into their flyweight championship clash and securing the finish, but now he was venturing into a division in search of a second title. Moraes entered a four-game winning streak, having earned back-to-back stoppages against Aljamain Sterling, Jimmie Rivera and Raphael Assuncao.
The Brazilian came out of the gates quickly and controlled the opening stanza, blasting Cejudo with kicks and stuffing the former Olympic gold medalist’s first takedown attempt. But Cejudo adapted well between rounds, becoming the aggressor in the second, and started to really take control of the fight in the second half of the frame, drawing the Brazilian into more of a fight, forcing him to spend his energy and hurting him. with the knees in the clinch.
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Cejudo continued to press in the third and Moraes withered. The flyweight champion acknowledged his opponent was exhausted and took him to him, dragging him to the canvas, threatening him with a D’arce choke and pounding the finish with a series of elbows and hammers then as the last seconds of the lap passed. the clock.
With the win, Cejudo became a two-weight UFC champion, dubbed himself “Triple C,” a nod to his Olympic medal and two UFC titles, and cemented his place in the pantheon. of the greatest of all time.
Henry Cejudo beats. Dominick Cruz (UFC 249)
