Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo’s comeback has hit yet another snag. Cejudo was set to face bantamweight fan favorite Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 292, but announced on Instagram that the fight is no longer coming to fruition.
“Unfortunately due to my right shoulder, I won’t be able to fight. I’ve already torn my left shoulder, where I was out for about a year. I don’t want it to tear further than what it already is. That being said, there’s a tear in there. The cat’s out the bag. It’s actually a 50 percent tear.
Henry Cejudo Out Of UFC 292 With Shoulder Injury
I stretched it out to as much as I possibly could, because I love that ‘Chito’ Vera matchup, and for those that really know me, know I’m all about the money, that I’m all about competing.”
Cejudo’s bout with Vera was supposed to come hot on the heels of his failed bid to dethrone bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling.
With the timeline for a Vera fight now well and truly scuppered, “Triple C” is turning his focus elsewhere. Specifically, he’s looking to take down another elite bantamweight and teammate of Aljamain Sterling, Merab Dvalishvili.
“At the end of the day, the guy that I still want, No. 1 contender, his name is Merab [Dvalishvili]. So that’s what I’m looking forward to, and who knows guys, there could be a special matchup between me and Brandon Moreno if you guys think about it.”
Vera, for his part, was confident in his ability to take out the former champ. Vera recently declared his intent to “make a statement,” and will be hoping the UFC lines up another opponent of a similar caliber for the fight.
“This is a perfect fight to make a statement. It’s a perfect fight to let them know, hey dude, yes, I slipped but I get the f*** up right away. I just go in there, fight my fight, and this fight I’m planning to do it better than I was before.
He can make all the breakdowns he wants, he can talk all the s*** he wants, I know deep down inside he’s still a little bit of a c***. I’m gonna show that. I’m gonna put pressure and wherever the fight goes, I’m gonna f****** fight like my life depends on it, and it’s gonna be a good fight.
I guarantee that. It’s gonna be a great fight. I’m gonna come in my best.”
