The main event at UFC Brooklyn not only had high stakes, it ended in 38-seconds and Cejudo with his hand raised while Dana White strapped the new Legacy belt around his waist.
Did he save the flyweight division? That question has yet to be answered, however, Cejudo sure did make a statement as he knocked out the bantamweight king, TJ Dillashaw in the first round.
Dillashaw has made it clear that he wants a rematch at 125-pounds because he feels the referee stopped the match too early. Although Cejudo is willing to rematch Dillashaw at 125 or 135-pounds, many fighters want the champions to return to their respective divisions to continue building them by allowing the rightful challengers a shot at gold.
With the fate of UFC’s flyweight division still unknown, here are the potential next matchups for Henry Cejudo, TJ Dillashaw, and their divisions:
The fights to make after UFC Brooklyn's main event
Should Cejudo rematch Dillashaw at flyweight or bantamweight? Or should both champions defend their belts against the #1 contenders? Does TJ even have contenders at bantamweight? There are so many questions to ask after UFC Brooklyn, especially with Cejudo "saving" the 125-pound division. After much talk of the UFC getting rid of the male flyweights, Cejudo defended his title against the best bantamweight in Dillashaw. So what's next? Should the division remain? Hell yes. But since Dana White has yet to decide, we wanted to explore the next matches to make for the flyweight and bantamweight divisions.
Henry Cejudo vs TJ Dillashaw 2
This one is obvious- we know Dillashaw wants it. The weight cut was impressive and apparently easy. As of late, what Dillashaw wants - he gets. Cejudo has said that he is okay with the rematch at either weight, although he prefers a shot at becoming a Champ Champ himself. Whether the fight happens at flyweight or bantamweight, it's very possible it can happen. The event broke ESPN records and the boss seemed extremely happy overall after the event, aside from the stoppage in the main event. Many fighters want their shot at the belt, so only time will tell what the UFC decides to do with both champions.
Cejudo against winner of Formiga vs Figueiredo
If you want to make a true Champion vs #1 Contender matchup, then Cejudo would defend against Formiga. However, Formiga wanted to remain active and instead took a fight with the #4 ranked, Deiveson Figueiredo. If Formiga beats the fellow Brazilian and Formiga is able to make a speedy recovery following the fight, he could easily line himself up for the next shot at "The Messenger." That is of course, if Henry decides to not take an extensive break. We'll find out next weekend at UFC Brazil what happens next with Formiga.
TJ Dillashaw vs Dominick Cruz 2
Although this may be a long shot with Cruz injured, if he somehow was healed up next month, this fight could be booked. This rematch is one of the most anticipated coming out of the bantamweight division, with Cruz getting the better of their first exchange in 2016. Hopefully Cruz can make a speedy recovery and go back to doing what he does best (aside from being an analyst and commentator). If Dillashaw is in for the money fights now, then he should hope Cruz gets healthy fast too.
Dillashaw against winner of Assuncao vs Moraes
Although no one has made this this official #1 contenders fight for Dillashaw's championship, Ariel Helwani, fans and other journalist have. Dominick Cruz is currently sidelined with an injury, so it only seems right that the winner of this match get a shot at Dillashaw next. I'm sure TJ will want to remain active, even after his recent loss to Cejudo at UFC Brooklyn. I expect Dillashaw to make a quick turnaround, so hopefully the winner of this matchup is able to to challenge for the belt with little time off. The bantamweight is in need of contenders to emerge, since Assuncao has fought TJ twice already.
Henry Cejudo vs Joseph Benavidez 2
This is the rightful fight to make at flyweight, since Formiga is currently booked. Not only has Benavidez remained at the top of the flyweight division, he has a win over the current champion, Henry Cejudo. If Cejudo decides to continue building the 125-pound division with exciting promos and fights, the UFC will most likely book this matchup for the 125-pound undisputed belt. Both men have already exchanged words and Cejudo said he is interested in the rematch. If they decides to get rid of the division, then Cejudo deserves the next shot at Dillashaw for the 135-pound championship. It's only fair.
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Joey Torres is a Co-Founder of The Scrap, is obsessed with MMA, and holds a Masters of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology from University of Southern California.
