Henry Cejudo: Petr Yan a great striker but I would take him down and drown his ass

Henry Cejudo likes his chances against both Alexander Volkanovski and Petr Yan.

Cejudo (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC), who failed in his bid to replace Max Holloway against featherweight champion Volkanovski at April’s UFC 273, is disappointed that he missed out on the opportunity. The UFC opted to go with Chan Sung Jung instead, with UFC president Dana White completely dismissing the idea of Cejudo stepping in.

The former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion has contemplated coming out of retirement on numerous occasions since hanging up his gloves in May 2020 but is only willing to do it if the price is right. If he were to return, though, not only is Cejudo confident that he beats Volkanovski, but he also thinks he could take out current interim bantamweight champion Yan (16-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC).

“I would love to go to Russia and fight Petr Yan, that ugly potato in Russia, holding up a Russian flag this time and beating his ass in front of his own countrymen,” Cejudo told MMA Junkie Radio. “Yes, I will take that dude down. Yeah, he’s a great striker. I could tell you that. When I talk about position, composure and distance, Petr Yan is really good at it, but I’m too much of a competitor. I’m too smart for this dude.

“I will take him down, and I will literally drown his ass with my wrestling. We’ll put him against the cage, and I ain’t no Aljamain Sterling, guys. I am so much more technical. I am so much better than these dudes. I am at a whole other level of competitors. Michael Jordan, he was the best at basketball. Think about it if he was able to do that in football. That’s what I’ve been able to do. What I’m saying is I have that competitive edge. I have that experience, and I just need that shot, and I need that bag full of money.”

Yan will look to reclaim his bantamweight title when he rematches Sterling in a title unification bout at UFC 273. Cejudo could certainly prove an interesting matchup for the winner, but he says if he’s going to come back, he must be fairly compensated.

“At the end of the day, I could talk all this talk, but if I don’t get paid, I’m just not doing it,” Cejudo said. “It’s got to be worth my legacy. Am I being a b*tch, or am I being honest? I’m being honest. I am a little upset. I am a little pissed.”

To see the full interview with Cejudo, check out the video below.