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Henry Cejudo, the former two-division UFC champion, appears to have his sights set on bigger names as he reportedly rejected a potential main event fight against rising contender Kyler Phillips.
Cejudo has faced a tough road since returning from retirement last May. After narrowly missing the bantamweight title against Aljamain Sterling, "Triple C" suffered another defeat at UFC 298 in Anaheim this past February, losing to Merab Dvalishvili. These setbacks have led to speculations about his future in the sport, but Cejudo remains committed to continuing his career.
The Olympic gold medalist has been vocal about his interest in fighting top-tier opponents like Petr Yan and Rob Font. On the flip side, he has been dismissive of certain matchups, including a proposed showdown with Song Yadong in China, which he declined on social media.
Recently, a report from @MagicM_MMABets on social media suggested that Cejudo was considered for a headline bout at a UFC Fight Night against 11th ranked contender Kyler Phillips. Phillips, a teammate of bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley, has been on a winning streak with three consecutive victories since a controversial loss to Raulian Paiva in 2021. His most recent triumph came against veteran Pedro Munhoz at UFC 299 in Miami.
Despite the opportunity to fight a top contender, Cejudo allegedly turned down the match.
"Henry turned it down," Phillips' coach Tim Welch wrote in response to the report.
Cejudo, who is currently ranked 5th in the bantamweight division, seems to be focusing on higher-profile opponents. His sights are set on fighters like Yan and Font, indicating his preference for more prominent matchups over a clash with Phillips.
While Phillips is looking to break into the top 10 with a high-profile fight, Cejudo's decision to reject the bout suggests he's aiming for a faster route back to title contention by targeting more notable names in the division.
In summary, Henry Cejudo continues to chart his path in the UFC with strategic decisions about his opponents, favoring established names over rising contenders as he seeks to reclaim his spot at the top.
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