Cejudo Wants Cruz On Standby In Case ‘Baldo’ Bails

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White is expecting to resume full operations in April, starting with the UFC 249 pay-per-view (PPV) event, which is why bantamweight titleholder, Henry Cejudo, is starting to prepare for his very first title defense.

Since the world may not recover in time for UFC 250 to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, thanks to the lingering effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Cejudo (15-2) is calling for a potential replacement in case UFC relocates the card, leaving Jose Aldo stranded overseas.

Paging Dominick Cruz!

“Since UFC 249 is in jeopardy because we can’t get Khabib out of Russia,” Cejudo wrote on social media. “So just in case we can’t get Jose Baldo onto America soil, make sure to bring your untailored tuxedo that you wear every Saturday along with yours balls! Because you’re on deck sweetheart.”

Cruz has yet to respond.

“The Dominator” (22-2) has not competed since dropping a five-round unanimous decision to Cody Garbrandt back in late 2016, thanks to another round of debilitating injuries. The former champion turns 35 in September and probably has one last run left in him at this point.

Once UFC secures a city and venue for UFC 249, it’s likely to stay there until things calm down. Coronavirus has made travel and large gatherings difficult, but White and Co. insist the show must go on, even without an audience.