Henry Cejudo has a new hunger.
The former two-division UFC Champion was unsuccessful in his return to competition, where he lost a split decision to current champ Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288. Cejudo’s defeat, his first since 2016, snapped a 6-fight win streak which included title wins over Demetrious Johnson, TJ Dillashaw, Marlon Moraes and Dominick Cruz.
‘Humble’ Henry Sees Opportunity After Loss
Cejudo was already motivated to become a two-time bantamweight champ, but now he has even more ambition to bounce back from his major setback and that starts with a whole new mindset.
“It’s humble Henry now. Maybe you can call me ‘Double C,'” Cejudo told Helen Yee. “I thought there was fire coming back [after three years away], but I think now there’s like… one of the reasons why I even became successful is it wasn’t even so much the will of winning. I mean, that plays a big role.
“It was more of not feeling the pain of losing. I feel that, but it’s also a motivator. With a little bit of frustration, I’m still pissed off. So, I’m trying to really still shake that off if I’m gonna be honest, because I know the potential, I know where I could get. But, I also see the opportunities on how much better that I could actually become. “
‘The Greatest Comeback In MMA History’
While the decision of Cejudo’s close fight with Sterling could be disputed, the Olympian says he deserved to lose at UFC 288. With that in mind, Cejudo’s on a mission to prove without a doubt he’s the best bantamweight in the world.
“It’s not so much the loss, cause if I have a close fight like that, I deserve to lose,” Cejudo continued. “When you do win, it should be decisive and there should be no questions asked. So, I’m taking that mentality.
“I’m gonna clean up those errors and I’m gonna come back and I’m gonna make the greatest comeback in MMA history, you guys watch.”
Henry Cejudo’s historic comeback could begin with Aljamain Sterling’s teammate and #1 contender Merab Dvalishvili later this year.
