Daniel Cormier and Henry Cejudo are rare examples of UFC fighters who have achieved the prestigious status of being simultaneous double champions. Prior to their UFC careers, both individuals were teammates on the 2008 US Olympic team. However, they are currently engaging in friendly banter on social media.
Cormier, as the team captain, was unable to participate in the competition due to health issues. On the other hand, Cejudo achieved the distinction of becoming the youngest Olympic champion in the 57kg category at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he won a gold medal.
Daniel Cormier defends Tom Aspinall
Daniel Cormier has retired from active competition and is now a full-time commentator for the UFC. He was at the commentary booth at the recently concluded UFC 295 with fellow commentators Joe Rogan and Jon Anik.
Alex Pereira defeated Jiri Prochazka to become the new light heavyweight champion in the main event. In the co-main event, Tom Aspinall defeated Sergei Pavlovich to become the interim heavyweight champion in the absence of undisputed champion Jon Jones, who is sidelined due to injury. Aspinall was visibly emotional after the victory, which drew criticism from Henry Cejudo, who recently fought Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288 for the bantamweight title.
Henry was 1000 percent wrong Tom Aspinall was groomed for that moment! Today I talk this, also Tom said that Jones should relinquish title, how can he make this happen ? I have a few ideas for him. Also is Dricus tougher than Khamzat? Sean Strickland thinks so! Live at 11 am… pic.twitter.com/ZJnzxY2X3z
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) November 18, 2023
“Henry’s never been more wrong. I saw something the other day where Henry said Tom Aspinall shouldn’t have been as emotional to become the champion. It’s not the real belt.” Cormier said on his YouTube video. Apparently, Cormier did not like Cejudo’s take on Aspinall being emotional after his victory at UFC 295.
Cormier further explained, “Henry Cejudo was groomed to be the Olympic wrestling champion, and he did that. And when he did that, he cried, and he was excited, and he was the champ, and it felt like he had accomplished the world. That’s what Tom Aspinall did. Why? Because it’s all he’s been trained to.”
Henry Cejudo slams Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier’s comments on Henry Cejudo did not go unnoticed by “The Messenger”. Cejudo took to his X, formerly Twitter, to reply to his Olympic teammate and fellow simultaneous double champion. Cejudo doubled down on his view that the interim title is not the same as the undisputed title.
Cejudo posted a video on X with the caption, “Hey DC, nobody asked for your 2 chins. Even though the belt couldn’t fit around your waist, it was still undisputed. Tom, congrats on being the best sidekick in the UFC.” In the video, he funnily called out Cormier for turning on his Olympic teammate.
Hey DC, nobody asked for your 2 chins. Even though the belt couldn’t fit around your waist, it was still undisputed. Tom, congrats on being the best Side-Chick in the UFC. https://t.co/WXFNeC8hfu pic.twitter.com/Jo3DR1AirX
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) November 18, 2023
“An interim just means you are the number one contender”, Cejudo said on the video. He congratulated Tom Aspinall for the victory but proclaimed that Aspinall is just a number-one contender for Jon Jones’ undisputed title. Jones and Cejudo have trained together recently, and the Olympic champion was very impressed by the skills of Jones.
Jones trained with Cejudo before he fought for the vacant heavyweight title against former interim champion Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. Joens defeated Gane via rear naked choke in the very first round of the bout further cementing his status as the ‘GOAT of MMA’. Nevertheless, Tom Aspinall wants Jones to be stripped of the title due to his extended layoff.
Do you agree with Henry Cejudo’s take on the interim title? Leave your comments below!
