After saying he was “100%” retiring after losing in his last fight, Henry Cejudo is taking back his words.
Cejudo joined the UFC 298 this month and lost to Merab Dvalishvili via a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Many expected that this would finally push the fighter to his retirement, as the move was already confirmed prior to the event.
“Yeah, 100 percent, [I will retire],” Cejudo said. “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 one [at featherweight]. That’s kind of where I’m at.”
The decision was not recognized in the event after the fighter was not given the mic time to announce the move. UFC CEO Dana White said, “If he wants to retire again, he could do that here or somewhere else.” Fortunately for Cejudo, not having the moment to confirm his retirement was actually a blessing. As it happens, resting is not still in his mind.
“If I could change everything, I probably would never come back, but now that I’m back, I got to sh*t where I sleep,” Cejudo said on his YouTube channel. “For that reason, I cannot go out like that. So I’m here today, ladies and gentlemen, taking my word back as a man, confronting you guys, you the people, you my fans, you my family, you my friends, you the haters, that I just cannot go out like this. Guys, to say the least, it is far from over with the ‘Triple C.’”
In line with this, the 37-year-old recalled his past performances in his career, particularly his losses and bounce-back victories.
“Saturday night, was it all or nothing for me? Yeah, and I meant it – or did I really?” Cejudo said. “Have I truly been a hypocrite to myself? The last time I lost two times in a row, I lost to Demetrious Johnson and I lost to Joseph Benavidez. I went down, and I created one of the biggest rampages in UFC history. Avenging my loss to Demetrious Johnson, beating T.J. Dillashaw on EPO. Taking out No. 1 contender Marlon Moraes and knocking the brakes, knocking the teeth out of Dominick Cruz.”
