PHOENIX — UFC star Henry Cejudo jumped into action Friday night after witnessing a car crash into a home near State Route 51 and Bethany Home Road. Cejudo, a former UFC double-champion and Olympic gold medalist, helped detain the suspect after a confrontation broke out with a neighbor.
According to Phoenix police, 22-year-old Angel Cota was speeding at approximately 80 mph before losing control and slamming into the side of a home just after 8:15 p.m. on April 4.
Crash Leads to Assault and Citizen Takedown
After the crash, Cejudo said he saw four individuals inside the car struggling to get out. Once they exited, they attempted to flee, prompting a 65-year-old homeowner to intervene. Cota allegedly punched the homeowner multiple times.
That’s when Cejudo, who happened to be across the street, stepped in.
“I had to go out there, picked (the suspect) up, dropped him, slapped him a little bit,” Cejudo said in a video posted to Instagram. “And then some of the neighbors took some ‘clocks’ at him.”
No serious injuries were reported from the crash itself, but Cota was later arrested on charges including assault and DUI. The investigation is still ongoing.
About Henry Cejudo
Born: Los Angeles, raised in Phoenix
High School: Maryvale High School
College: Grand Canyon University
Olympics: Won gold at the 2008 Beijing Games at just 21, becoming the youngest American wrestler to ever do so
UFC: Former Flyweight and Bantamweight champion; currently ranked No. 9 in the Bantamweight division
Cejudo is known for his fierce competitiveness in the octagon — and now, apparently, his readiness to protect his community outside of it.
