Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo has high praise for Russian wrestling legend Abdulrashid Sadulaev, suggesting the Olympic gold medalist has what it takes to reach the pinnacle of mixed martial arts.
In a recent interview, Cejudo shared his admiration for Russian athletes in combat sports, noting their consistent excellence on the world stage. The Olympic gold medalist and retired UFC champion pointed to several Russian competitors who have inspired him throughout his career.
“The Russian spirit is different than in combat sports,” Cejudo explained. “You know, the best combat athletes in the world have been Russians, Ruskies. You know, a lot of my heroes, the majority of all my heroes are Russian.”
Cejudo mentioned several accomplished wrestlers he has looked up to, including Buvaissar Saitiev, Sergei Beloglazov, and Sadulaev himself. He also referenced Besik Kudukhov, recalling past competitions where he managed a victory but acknowledges the difficulty of facing such elite talent repeatedly.
When asked specifically about how Sadulaev would perform in MMA, Cejudo offered a confident assessment of the Russian wrestler’s potential.
“Man, when you’re an Olympic champion like that, you have that type of mind. If you could be patient with it, Sadulaev would be a world champion,” Cejudo stated.
However, the former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion was more measured when the conversation turned to potential matchups with current light heavyweight king Jon Jones. Despite his belief in Sadulaev’s championship capabilities, Cejudo recognized the unique challenges that Jones presents.
“I like Sadulaev, but you need a lot more than wrestling to beat Jon Jones,” Cejudo said, acknowledging the multifaceted skill set required to compete at the highest levels of MMA.
Sadulaev, widely regarded as one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of all time, has dominated international competition for years. His combination of technical prowess, physical strength, and mental toughness has made him nearly unbeatable on the wrestling mat.
Currently, there are no indications that Sadulaev plans to transition to MMA.
