Henry Cejudo didn’t change his mind about calling it quits if he loses to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298.
“Triple C” already hinted that a potential loss could lead to his second retirement from the sport. In case of a win, according to Cejudo, he should fight the winner of Sean O’Malley vs. Marion Vera UFC bantamweight title fight.
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During UFC 298 media day the former two-division champion said:
“This is all or nothing. I sat with the team, and I was like, ‘It’s either gold or bust.’ I either win it all, or I’m not going to have it at all and I’m out. I’m done. “I am putting that timeline, that pressure on me, because I do take this sport serious…Oh you retired, it’s like I’ve done everything there is to do. What the f***? What do I got to prove? Now, it’s a motivation more motivated by a little bit of anger. I’m kind of pissed at myself a little bit, but it’s still motivated.”
What’s more, Cejudo will not the doors open for his potential return. He assures that he will retire immediately in case of a loss.
“Yeah, 100 percent… “It’s big time pressure. Because I know I’ve got to fight. You’ve got to put these clauses on you. I’m not going to continue to fight just to fight. I’m too competitive. I want to be the best in the world. I want that belt, and I really want that other on. That’s kind of where I’m at.”
The other thing is, his fight against Merab Dvalishvili doesn’t have official title eliminator status. “Triple C” strongly believes that this particular bout puts the two best bantamweight against each other.
“Between me and Merab, this is the best fight at 135 pounds. This is the real world title. Sean’s going to pick a No. 6 , pick a guy that freaking lost 50-45 to Sandhagen. That’s what gets a title shot? It makes no sense but I also get it. I get the theatrics and the entertainment side of it. Sean was able to create that, and when you’re a champion, you have that leverage. To me, this fight here decides who the best in the world is.”
For Cejudo this fight is only a step toward getting a shot at a third belt and enriching his resume.
“My goal, and I’m probably going to get a lot of s*** for this, but the goal is still 145 pounds. I’ve already conquered and I’ve already defended my 135-pound weight. Yeah, I lost my last fight through split decision, but I’m not wavering from the goal of going up. I just feel like a win over Merab, and then getting the winner out of ‘Chito’ versus Sean, and then I want… whoever has that belt at 145 pounds, and I feel like I’ve earned it. I feel like with my accolades and the merit that I’ve been able to do in combat sports, I don’t think you can deny me.”
At the current stage of his career, Henry Cejudo wants to make history and create his legacy. In another case, he’s ready to leave it all behind.
“If I can’t have it, then I just don’t want it. Why I came back because I felt I could do it again. But now it’s up to me. I go back, I either get it all, or I don’t want it at all. I’m either the best in the world, or I’m not.”
