MIAMI – Henry Cejudo has been vocal about his stipulations to fight again – which he thinks may have cost him.
Cejudo (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC), who hung up his gloves after defending his bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz in May 2020, has been open to a comeback, but only if he’s compensated better.
The former UFC dual-champion and Olympic gold medalist wrestler went as far as taking a dig at middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and former title challenger Jorge Masvidal, who both recently signed new lucrative UFC deals.
Cejudo has reiterated his conditions to come out of retirement time and time again. But will he?
“I don’t think so,” Cejudo told MMA Junkie. “I think the way that things are going, I think I talked too much sh*t. I think I picked on (UFC president) Dana (White) a little too much. He’s just not going to pay me. I’ve accepted that. This is why I’m able to throw out the kitchen sink from now on because it’s never going to change. It’s not going to change.
“He’s going to pay Jorge. He’s going to pay the 1 percent. He’s going to pay the entertainers – and that’s partially what I am. I’m an entertainer. I could sell a damn fight and I can fight better than all those dudes combined. It sucks, but that’s just the way it is. It’s just business. I ain’t mad. (I’m) maybe a little frustrated, but I ain’t mad. That’s just life.”
Life outside of the octagon has been pretty busy for Cejudo. “Triple C” recently landed a new commentary gig with Eagle FC and has flourished as a coach, helping the likes of former UFC light heavyweight king Jon Jones, Bellator champ Cris Cyborg and newly crowned UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo.
Cejudo thinks he’s exhausted all his methods, but if the fans really get behind him, perhaps White could change his mind.
“You fans, you guys want me back, you guys get on Dana,” Cejudo said. “The only third party I have is you guys. You guys want to see me back, stop saying, ‘Oh, you’re ruining your prime, your career’ – no. You guys make a fuss about the pay, get me paid, and I’ll be back. I’ll fight 10 more times if I have to, but I’m just not doing it for that money.”
Henry Cejudo’s gut instinct says he won’t fight again: ‘I talked too much sh*t’
