Former two-division Henry Cejudo has sparked fierce debate across social media with a bold proclamation following UFC 321’s co-main event. After Mackenzie Dern captured the UFC women’s strawweight championship with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Virna Jandiroba, Cejudo took to social media to declare her
“The greatest female combat sports athlete of all time.”
The statement immediately drew criticism from fans and MMA stars alike, with many pointing to the legendary careers of Amanda Nunes, Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and current UFC champion Kayla Harrison. Derek Brunson playfully responded,
“We’re on to you, Henry,”
while others questioned whether Cejudo had conveniently forgotten the dominance of multiple-time defending champions.
Yet beneath the surface of what appears to be classic Cejudo trolling lies a more nuanced argument. While Dern’s MMA accomplishments may not yet rival those of Nunes or other established legends, her supporters point to an unprecedented breadth of achievement across multiple disciplines within combat sports.
Before ever stepping into the octagon, Dern had already established herself as one of the most decorated BJJ competitors in history. She captured world championships in both ADCC and the IBJJF—twice in gi competition and twice in no-gi.
One supporter on social media framed it compellingly: Dern’s trajectory is akin to legendary judoka or Olympic wrestlers claiming UFC gold—athletes who dominated their original sport before conquering mixed martial arts. Her journey from decorated grappler to UFC champion represents a rare crossover success story.
At UFC 321, Dern showcased evolution in her striking game while still relying on her world-class grappling pedigree. The five-round championship match saw both women have their moments, with Jandiroba winning the wrestling exchanges and securing multiple takedowns. However, Dern proved comfortable working from her back—a position that would spell disaster for most MMA stars but represents familiar territory for a BJJ world champion. She also demonstrated improved striking, landing effective right hands and leg kicks throughout the contest.
The pivotal moment came in round four when Dern finally secured a takedown of her own, and she closed the show by reversing a final takedown attempt and finishing on top. Judges scored the match 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 in her favor.
The debate ultimately hinges on how one defines
“Greatest combat sports athlete.”
If judged purely by MMA credentials, Nunes’ two-division dominance and record-setting title defenses clearly surpass Dern’s current résumé. Harrison’s Olympic gold medals and undefeated professional MMA record present another compelling case.
However, when considering combat sports as a broader category encompassing grappling arts, Dern’s credentials become harder to dismiss. She has now claimed world championships across three distinct competitive formats—gi jiu-jitsu, no-gi submission grappling, and mixed martial arts—a trifecta that no other female MMA star has achieved.
Whether Cejudo’s proclamation represents genuine analysis or calculated attention-seeking remains open to interpretation.
Regardless of motivation, his statement has successfully reignited conversation about how greatness should be measured in combat sports and whether dominance in one discipline outweighs excellence across multiple arenas.
