It took less than a minute for UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo (14-2-0) to dash bantamweight champion T.J. Dillshaw’s (16-4-0) hope to become the company’s fourth dual champion at UFC on ESPN+1 last night at the Barclays Center.
Cejudo landed a headkick that appeared to stun Dillashaw seconds into the fight. Follow-up strikes forced referee Kevin MacDonald to call the bout even though it appeared Dillashaw was scrambling to protect himself throughout.
With the win, Cejudo retains the flyweight belt and likely stops any rumoured plans to quash the flyweight division.
Dillashaw pressed for an immediate rematch at 125 pounds in the post-fight press conference, reiterating that he was defending himself, that the fight should have not been stopped and that Cejudo did not win.
“I thought it was an early stoppage too,” Dana White added. “You have two of the best guys in the world, two world champions, in a superfight. Let them fight. Let them finish. I’m not taking anything away from Cejudo because the fight went 20 seconds and Cejudo busted him up. I’m sure when you saw him sitting here, he looked like he was in a three round fight. But Jesus Christ, let them fight. Horrible stoppage.”
Cejudo, who now has a four fight win streak, said he would give Dillashaw a rematch at bantamweight.
Donald Cerrone and Alexander Hernandez earned Fight of the Night, while Cerrone and Cejudo earned performances of the night. Cerrone earned $100,000 USD in bonus money, with Hernandez and Cejudo earning $50,000 USD in bonus money apiece.
💰 50k 💰
FOTN: @CowboyCerrone vs @TheGreat155
POTN: @HenryCejudo | @CowboyCerrone #UFCBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/ouO3C6CIzH
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2019
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
CHANCE RECOUNTRE DEF. KYLE STEWART VIA SUBMISSION (REAR-NAKED CHOKE) R1 2:25
GEOFF NEAL DEF. BELAL MUHAMMAD VIA UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
DENNIS BERMUDEZ DEF. TE EDWARDS VIA UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
CORY SANDHAGEN DEF. MARIO BAUTISTA VIA SUBMISSION (ARMBAR) R1 3:31
ALONZO MENIFIELD DEF. VINICIUS MOREIRA VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 3:56
JOANNE CALDERWOOD DEF. ARIANE LIPSKI VIA UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
DONALD CERRONE DEF. ALEXANDER HERNANDEZ VIA TKO (STRIKES) R2 3:43
MAIN CARD
#12 GLOVER TEIXEIRA VS. KARL ROBERSON
Teixeira overcomes early barrage to beat Roberson. WATCH: https://t.co/IqsUGECUkh #UFCBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/8immGt9eve
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 20, 2019
WINNER: GLOVER TEIXEIRA VIA SUBMISSION (ARM-TRIANGLE CHOKE) R1 3:21
ANDREWS PREDICTION: GLOVER TEIXEIRA VIA UD
Andrews: Roberson started fast but the aging Glover recovered eventually to get the tap. The clock is ticking for Glover.
PAIGE VANZANT VS. RACHEL OSTOVICH
That's it!@PaigeVanzant gets the tap in round 2!
What year long layoff?! #UFCBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/Wx93F4u4Uf
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2019
WINNER: PAIGE VANZANT VIA SUBMISSION (ARMBAR) R2 1:50
ANDREWS PREDICTION: PAIGE VANZANT VIA UD
Andrews: Ostovich got the takedown but made a simple mistake that Vanzant capitalized on.
#2 JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VS. #8 DUSTIN ORTIZ
🗣 By Unanimous Decision!@JoeJitsu gets it done! #UFCBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/KhDFA1ZuhL
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2019
WINNER: JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Benavidez outworked Ortiz again. Not a barnburner of a fight.
GREGOR GILLESPIE VS. YANCY MEDERIOS
Vicious GnP leads to @Gregor_The_Gift's 4️⃣th straight Octagon finish! #UFCBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/rH2DmKXwn5
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2019
WINNER: GREGOR GILLESPIE VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 4:59
ANDREWS PREDICTION: GREGOR GILLESPIE VIA TKO
Andrews: Impressive to see Gillespie to take out a killer like Mederios. Great win.
GREG HARDY VS. ALLEN CROWDER
Not the way he wanted it, but @AllenCrowder6 gets the win by DQ. #UFCBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/tbztbGEFA2
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2019
WINNER: ALLEN CROWDER VIA DQ (ILLEGAL KNEE) R2 2:28
ANDREWS PREDICTION: GREG HARDY VIA TKO
Andrews: Hardy needs to keep his head in the game. Still needs some seasoning.
MAIN EVENT
HENRY CEJUDO VS. T.J. DILLASHAW
HENRY CEJUDO!!!!!!!
Messaged. Sent. WOW!!!!! #UFCBrooklyn @HenryCejudo pic.twitter.com/5gx41CdUOM
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2019
WINNER: HENRY CEJUDO VIA TKO (STRIKES) R1 0:32
ANDREWS PREDICTION: T.J. DILLASHAW VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! I didn’t think Cejudo could do that. I think it was an early stoppage, but Cejudo certainly took it to Dillahshaw in those 32 seconds. Let’s see the rematch at 135.
