Former UFC two-division champion Henry Cejudo said Wednesday he “100%” will retire from mixed martial arts again if he loses to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298 on Saturday in Anaheim.
“This is all or nothing,” Cejudo said at UFC 298 media day, courtesy of MMA Crazy. “I told the team, I sat with the team, I was like, ‘Hey guys, it’s either gold or bust. I either win it all or I’m not gonna have it at all, and I’m out, I’m done.'”
Cejudo, who retired as the reigning bantamweight champion in 2020, returned to the Octagon last May to challenge Aljamain Sterling for the 135-pound title at UFC 288. Cejudo lost to Sterling via split decision and is now scheduled to face Dvalishvili in his first three-round bout since 2017.
The winner between Dvalishvili and Cejudo – the Nos. 2- and 3-ranked bantamweights, respectively – will be in prime position to receive the next title shot after Marlon Vera challenges current champion Sean O’Malley at UFC 299 in March.
If this weekend goes according to plan, Cejudo said he is interested in facing the O’Malley-Vera winner and then moving up to challenge for featherweight gold.
“The goal is still 145 pounds,” Cejudo said. “I’ve already conquered and I’ve already defended my 135-pound weight. Yeah, I lost my last fight through split decision, but the goal – I’m not wavering from the goal of going up. A win over Merab and then get the winner out of ‘Chito’ and Sean, and then I want (Alexander Volkanovski) or whoever has that belt at 145 pounds.
“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 could deny me.”
The 37-year-old said he’s putting “big-time pressure” on himself going into Saturday’s matchup because of what’s at stake.
“I’m not gonna continue to fight just to fight,” Cejudo said. “I’m too competitive. I want to be the best in the world. I want that belt, and I really want that other one. So, that’s kind of where I am at. If I can’t have that, then I don’t want anything. Keep it all.”
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