UFC 288: Henry Cejudo Unable to Break UFC Veteran's Curse

Cejudo joins a graveyard of UFC veterans unable to break the mold

With his defeat to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288, Henry Cejudo joins a host of age-bound UFC veterans that were unable to capture gold above a certain age. 

At 36 years of age, Cejudo adds his name to a roster of ageing UFC veterans that fell short in championship aspirations. In weight classes below middleweight, UFC fighters aged 35 and above have a record of 2-21 in title fights (interim included). 

🤯 “No fighter aged 35 or over has ever won a ufc title between 125 and 155lbs”

🕰️ “Henry is 36. Are the skills that made him great still there?”

We’re previewing the main event at #UFC288

WATCH👉🏻 https://t.co/lpJYZyUGag

LISTEN👉🏻https://t.co/k0NB947nUC pic.twitter.com/FpCZwxpWdh

— Fight Disciples (@FightDisciples) May 4, 2023

The UFC Veteran's Curse

With Cejudo's defeat at UFC 288, UFC fighters aged 35 and above now have a combined record of 2-21 in championship fights. 

Tyron Woodley owns the only two title fight victories at 35+ below 185 Lbs, with his title defense against Demian Maia at 35 years, 103 days old, and his title defense over Darren Till at 36 years, 144 days old.

Name	Weight	Age	Defeated By
Joseph Benavidez	Flyweight	35 years, 214 days	Deiveson Figueiredo
Joseph Benavidez	Flyweight	35 years, 354 days	Deiveson Figueiredo
Deiveson Figueiredo	Flyweight	35 years, 34 days	Brandon Moreno
Urijah Faber	Bantamweight	35 years, 21 days	Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz	Bantamweight	35 years, 60 days	Henry Cejudo
T.J. Dillashaw	Bantamweight	36 years, 256 days	Aljamain Sterling
Henry Cejudo	Bantamweight	36 years, 87 days	Aljamain Sterling
Kenny Florian	Featherweight	37 years, 135 days	José Aldo
Frankie Edgar	Featherweight	37 years, 285 days	Max Holloway
The Korean Zombie	Featherweight	35 years, 23 days	Alexander Volkanovski
Josh Emmett	Featherweight	37 years, 345 days	Yair Rodriguez
Tony Ferguson	Lightweight	36 years, 85 days	Justin Gaethje
Michael Chandler	Lightweight	35 years, 21 days	Charles Oliveira
Pat Miletich	Welterweight	35 years, 55 days	Carlos Newton
Gil Castillo	Welterweight	37 years, 33 days	Matt Hughes
Demian Maia	Welterweight	39 years, 265 days	Tyron Woodley
Tyron Woodley	Welterweight	36 years, 321 days	Kamaru Usman
Jorge Masvidal	Welterweight	35 years, 242 days	Kamaru Usman
Jorge Masvidal	Welterweight	36 years, 163 days	Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman	Welterweight	35 years, 101 days	Leon Edwards
Kamaru Usman	Welterweight	35 years, 312 days	Leon Edwards

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