Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Some of the completed athletes in MMA historical past, Henry Cejudo was the UFC’s prime fighter from 2018-2020. Then, similar to that, he vanished with no hint. “Triple C” left his function as champion of the bantamweight and flyweight divisions to concentrate on his household and himself.

Nevertheless, the phrase “retire” has by no means actually caught in fight sports activities. Now, three years away from MMA, Cejudo is a kind of fighters able to return to the highest of the mountain. It seems Cejudo’s coming again for one final experience.

Cejudo challenges Aljamain Sterling for the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 288 on Could 6. Efficiently defending the title twice, Sterling will combat Cejudo inside New Jersey’s Prudential Heart.  

Why did the 36-year-old retire within the first place, and what introduced him again to the octagon? Here is a full breakdown of Cejudo’s latest selections.

MORE: Signal as much as watch the UFC 288 PPV, completely on ESPN+

When did Henry Cejudo retire?

Beating Demetrious Johnson in 2018 for the UFC flyweight title, Cejudo was able to put his identify within the historical past books. He was speculated to face T.J. Dillashaw for the UFC bantamweight title after defending the flyweight title in opposition to him, however it was off following a number of failed drug checks from the latter. Cejudo confronted Marlon Moraes in 2019 for the vacant bantamweight title, beating him through TKO to turn out to be a double champion.

In his final bout on Could 9, 2020, Cejudo beat the legendary Dominick Cruz through TKO, retiring after. He appeared at peace along with his resolution, particularly contemplating what he already completed at a younger age.

“Since I used to be 11 years previous, I most likely have 600 competitions of wrestling matches in my life,” Cejudo acknowledged through MMA Junkie. “That is all I’ve ever executed. I haven’t got children. I’ve lastly acquired a woman now, and I wish to step into that new chapter of my life.

“I have been extraordinarily egocentric and rightfully so to acquire what I’ve obtained — can I say it once more? Olympic champ, [UFC] flyweight champ, [UFC] bantamweight champ, and I defended each world titles. And man, I wish to go away on prime. I did it in wrestling, and I wish to do it now within the sport of combined martial arts. I simply do not see myself coming again, and I wish to stay king without end.”

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Cejudo lately had a daughter along with his now-wife, Ana Karolina.

Why did Henry Cejudo come out of retirement?

Though Cejudo remained retired for about three years, he saved himself busy. He skilled fighters and was all the time round for giant combat nights. Cejudo additionally used his social media and large mouth to name out UFC fighters.

Over the previous few years, “The Messenger” has referred to as out the likes of Alexander Volkanovski, Sterling, and others. His supervisor even informed ESPN at one level that he by no means stopped coaching. After teasing a return, he lastly pulled the set off and re-entered the USADA testing pool.

The Olympic champion acknowledged on his YouTube channel that his retirement was real. He claimed he wished to see the bantamweight division transfer on so he may concentrate on being a dad, seeing how he completed all he wanted to.

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Typically, you’ll be able to’t ignore an itch. That’s what Cejudo had throughout his time away, and he has determined to scratch it for an additional shot at holding the bantamweight title. Cejudo’s additionally seeking to make his presence felt throughout a number of divisions.

“Guys, it is plain and easy. Individuals, at occasions, they want that point to rekindle the love of competitors. To me, it wasn’t essentially the game, however simply having the drive, having that chip,” Cejudo mentioned on YouTube through MMA Weekly. “It is extra of me rekindling my love for the sport, for the love of the competitors, after which doing it. I am not simply executed with Aljamain. My total objective, and I will say it once more, is to go as much as 145 kilos and do one thing that no one has ever executed.”

It is unknown how lengthy Cejudo has in his second go-around within the sport. If he beats Sterling, he joins Georges St-Pierre and Randy Couture as UFC fighters who returned from retirement and gained gold proper after.

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