Henry Cejudo, the only athlete in UFC history to hold titles in both the flyweight and bantamweight divisions simultaneously, has weighed in on one of the most intriguing potential matchups in modern mixed martial arts. Speaking on his widely-followed "Pound 4 Pound" podcast alongside former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, Cejudo delivered a definitive prediction regarding a hypothetical showdown between undefeated middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira.
The conversation gained immediate traction within the MMA community, as Chimaev had publicly issued a challenge to Pereira during a White House visit on June 14. While the Brazilian striker has expressed greater interest in pursuing a heavyweight championship bout against Jon Jones, Cejudo believes the stylistic elements of a Chimaev-Pereira clash would produce a clear and decisive winner.
The Grappling Advantage: A Wrestler's Perspective
Cejudo's analysis centers on what he perceives as an overwhelming grappling disparity between the two elite competitors. The Olympic gold medalist in wrestling elaborated on the technical breakdown, emphasizing how Chimaev's skill set specifically targets Pereira's known vulnerabilities.
According to Cejudo, the matchup represents an ideal stylistic scenario for the middleweight champion. He pointed to Chimaev's exceptional top control and disciplined fighting approach as key factors that would make this a very favorable contest for the wrestling-based competitor.
This assessment carries particular weight coming from Cejudo, whose own fighting philosophy revolved around neutralizing opponents' strengths through superior wrestling and positional dominance. His confidence in Chimaev's approach reflects a deep understanding of how elite grapplers systematically dismantle striking specialists.
Cejudo also noted that UFC protocol would typically require both champions to defend their respective titles against top contenders before such a superfight could materialize. However, he maintained that the stylistic matchup would remain heavily tilted in Chimaev's favor regardless of timing.
Unwavering Confidence in the Prediction
When discussing the potential outcome, Cejudo expressed complete and total confidence in Chimaev's chances, stating he would favor the middleweight champion without any reservation. This level of certainty from someone who has competed at the highest levels of both MMA and amateur wrestling suggests the matchup may be more one-sided than casual observers might assume.
Cejudo reinforced his position by referencing a conversation with heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who offered his own assessment of Chimaev's physical capabilities. According to Cejudo, Jones commented on Chimaev's extraordinary strength, describing it as "freakish." The validation from Jones, widely considered the most complete fighter in MMA history, adds significant credibility to the analysis.
Physical Parity Eliminates Size Excuses
One of the most revealing aspects of Cejudo's breakdown involves the physical measurements of both athletes. Contrary to popular belief that Pereira would enjoy a substantial size advantage, Cejudo confirmed that both men stand at an identical 6-foot-4 inches tall. This revelation eliminates the common narrative that Chimaev would be outsized moving up to challenge the light heavyweight champion.
The size equivalence means that any advantage must come from technical skills rather than physical attributes. In this scenario, Chimaev's wrestling base becomes even more pronounced as the differentiating factor. When two athletes share similar frames, the competitor who can dictate where the fight takes place typically controls the outcome.
Recent Performance Serves as Proof of Concept
Chimaev's championship victory over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 provided a perfect demonstration of the strategy Cejudo believes would defeat Pereira. The middleweight champion executed a wrestling-heavy gameplan with ruthless efficiency, recording 12 successful takedowns and maintaining over 21 minutes of control time in the 25-minute contest.
This performance validated several key points in Cejudo's analysis. First, it proved Chimaev could implement a grappling strategy for five full championship rounds without gassing. Second, it showed his ability to take down and control an elite middleweight with strong defensive wrestling. Third, it demonstrated the disciplined approach necessary to avoid unnecessary striking exchanges.
Cejudo emphasized that Chimaev possesses the strategic intelligence to understand his path to victory, suggesting he would refuse to engage Pereira in a kickboxing match. Instead, the wrestling specialist would take the fight to the mat, where his advantages are most pronounced.
Pereira's Career Crossroads
While Chimaev actively pursues the superfight, Pereira's management has indicated different priorities. The 36-year-old Brazilian knockout artist appears focused on becoming a three-division champion by challenging Jon Jones at heavyweight. This ambition, while historic in scope, would require significant physical transformation and time.
The UFC's matchmaking philosophy typically demands that champions clear their respective divisions before engaging in cross-weight spectacles. For Pereira, this would mean defending against top light heavyweight contenders like Magomed Ankalaev or Jamahal Hill. Each presents unique challenges that could derail heavyweight aspirations.
The Wrestler's Advantage in MMA History
Cejudo's prediction aligns with decades of evidence suggesting elite wrestling provides the most reliable foundation for championship success. From Randy Couture to Khabib Nurmagomedov, the sport's history is littered with grapplers who neutralized dangerous strikers.
The psychological impact of takedown threats cannot be overstated. Strikers must fight with constant awareness of level changes, reducing their offensive output and making them hesitant to commit to combinations. This defensive mindset plays directly into the wrestler's gameplan.
Training Camp Dynamics
Should the matchup materialize, Chimaev's camp at Allstars Training Center would likely emphasize perfecting takedown entries against a longer striker. Pereira's team in Connecticut would need to dramatically improve takedown defense and bottom-game survival under coach Plinio Cruz.
Business and Legacy Implications
Beyond technical analysis, the fight carries massive business potential. Both champions command huge international followings, with Chimaev's Russian and Chechen support base complementing Pereira's Brazilian and global striking community fans.
For Chimaev, victory would place him among an elite group of double champions. For Pereira, a win would silence doubters about his grappling while establishing him as one of the sport's most versatile champions.
Conclusion: A Clear Path to Victory
Henry Cejudo's expert breakdown leaves little doubt about how he envisions a Chimaev-Pereira fight unfolding. The combination of identical physical dimensions, superior grappling credentials, proven championship strategy, and psychological warfare advantages leads the two-division champion to favor Chimaev completely.
While the MMA world waits for official announcements from UFC brass, Cejudo's analysis provides a masterclass in matchup evaluation. His complete confidence reflects not just personal opinion, but a data-driven assessment based on years of competing at MMA's highest levels.