Former two weight division champion Henry Cejudo has given a definitive answer on how his future in MMA would look if he does not get the victory against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298.
The two will meet at the Honda Center, California on Saturday night (February 17th) in a Bantamweight bout, with the winner likely securing the spot to face the winner of Sean O’Malley and Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera as the former looks to make his first title defence at UFC 299.
Keen to reclaim the Bantamweight strap, Cejudo revealed to the media that his long term goal is to secure yet another belt in yet another weight class. He said:
"My goal, and I'm probably going to get a lot of sh*t for this, but the goal is the goal still 145lbs like I've already conquered and I've already defended my 135lbs weight. Yeah, I lost my last fight to a split decision but I'm not wavering from the goal of going up.
"So I just feel like, a win over Merab and then get the winner out of Chito and Sean and then I want Volk or whoever has the 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.
"And to top all that off, this is all or nothing. And I told the team I sat with the team was like ‘Hey, guys, I'm here, it’s either gold or bust.’ Like, I either win it all or I'm not going to have it at all. And I'm out. I'm done.”
Having previously held UFC gold, Triple C fully understands O’Malley’s decision to face a number 6 ranked contender in his first title defence but feels his bout with the number 2 ranked Dvalishvili, will really decide who is the best at Bantamweight. He said:
“I think even between me and Merab, I think this is the best fight. This is the best fight at 135lbs. This is for the real world title. You know, Sean's going to pick a number six and pick a guy that fr*ckin lost, 50-45 to Sandhagen. That's who gets a title shot? It makes no sense. But I also get it. I also get the theatrics and the entertainment side of it and think, you know, Sean was able to create that.
“When you're a champ, you had that leverage. So, you know, to me, this fight here decides who the best in the world is. “
2024 marks Cedjudo 11th year as a professional mixed martial artist, a lengthy amount of time to compete in such a demanding sport. When asked if a loss against Dvalishvili could lead to him hanging up the 4oz gloves for good, the 37-year old gave a very definitive answer.
"100%. It's a big time pressure because I know I got to fight. But you got to put these clauses on you.
“I'm not going to continue to fight just to fight, I’m too competitive man. I want to be the best in the world. I want that I want that belt and I want that other I really want that other one. So that's kind of where I'm at. So if I can't have that, then I don't want anything, keep it all."
Watch his full media day interview, here:
