ONE Championship interested in ‘cherry-picking’ top UFC flyweights, Henry Cejudo included

After news that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) intended to dissolve the men’s Flyweight division came to light, several 125-pound contenders took to social media to announce that the purge had already begun.

After former division champion Demetrious Johnson was traded to ONE Championship for Ben Askren, the company’s CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, says he isn’t done adding to his roster, revealing that he is intersted speaking with several 125-pound fighters who will be out of jobs in the coming weeks and months.

“Many other flyweights in, I’m very interested, definitely,” Sityodtong told BJPENN.COM ”Already ONE Championship has the most stacked flyweight division in the world. I guarantee our roster is already better than the UFC’s flyweight division. But we definitely want to cherrypick and get some of the best UFC flyweights. That would be a dream come true,” he added.

“If it’s really true that UFC is going to close down their flyweight division, then of course we will talk to all the top flyweights.”

Of course, not all of the top 125-pounders will be let go, as many of the mare expected to be retained to compete in the Bantamweight division. Among them is current champion Henry Cejudo, the man who ended “Mighty Mouse’s” dominant run inside the Octagon at UFC 227 (see it again here).

That said, if Cejudo is available, Sityodtong wants his services.

“I will just say that I love Henry Cejudo,” he said. “If he becomes a free agent, Henry give me a call.”

Of course, it’s highly-unlikely UFC will cut ties with “The Messenger,” who is expected to face off against 135-pound champion T.J. Dillashaw in the first quarter of 2019 as consolation for not getting the chance to defend his 125-pound strap once.

Nevertheless, Conor McGregor can find comfort in knowing that some of his soon-to-be former UFC stablemates will potentially have jobs to look forward to.