UFC Brooklyn: Henry Cejudo defends flyweight title with TKO of TJ Dillashaw in 32 seconds

Henry Cejudo, right, kicks TJ Dillashaw during the first round of a flyweight mixed martial arts championship bout at UFC Fight Night early Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, at Barclays Center. Credit: AP/Frank Franklin II
The flyweight division features many of the fastest fighters in mixed martial arts. Blink and you might miss them.
That’s never been truer than Saturday’s UFC flyweight championship.
Henry Cejudo capitalized on an early fall by TJ Dillashaw, swarming the bantamweight champion on the ground and throwing a series of heavy punches to defend his flyweight title in just 32 seconds at UFC Fight Night at Barclays Center.
It was the fifth fastest finish in UFC championship history and the fastest UFC flyweight title fight ever.
“I knew he was hurt, I caught him with that kick right on the chin,” Cejudo said. “I felt him wobble a little bit and the rest is history.”
After a punch caused a slight slip by Dillashaw, Cejudo landed a kick that wobbled his opponent. He continued to punch and wrestle Dillashaw to the ground before referee Kevin MacDonald stepped in.
“This win was not just for me but for every flyweight out there who wanted the opportunity to fight for a title someday," said Cejudo, who has been vocal about keeping the 125-pound division open amid rumors of its demise.
Dillashaw immediately protested the stoppage by the referee and was visibly upset by it during the post-fight news conference.
“It sucks when something is taken from you and you’re not actually beat," Dillashaw said. “Congratulations Henry Cejudo, awesome, great job, man. But you did not win that fight.”
Cejudo had no issue with the referee's decision, saying he saw Dillashaw go limp multiple times during the fight.
UFC president Dana White also wasn't happy with the stoppage, calling it "horrible."
“I thought it was an early stoppage, too,” said White. “Let them fight, let them finish.”
Dillashaw said he would not want MacDonald officiating his future bouts.
Cejudo said he’d like to fight Dillashaw again. Despite repping the flyweight division all week, he wants the next time to be for the bantamweight belt.
"I gave him the opportunity. I’ve done things from the Olympics to defeating two of the greatest fighters of all time," Cejudo said. "I think I have the right to say what I want next.”
Dillashaw didn't seem too interested in that.
"I would rather do it at 125, that's what I was trying to do before it was taken from me," Dillashaw said. "There's no way you can sit back and watch that fight and be OK with it."
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