- Alexander Volkanovski revealed his honest take on Henry Cejudo’s looming return
- “The Great” wouldn’t want to see “Triple C” jumping straight to title contention
Henry Cejudo has generated quite a buzz after confirming that he’s re-entering USADA testing pool for his UFC comeback. Ahead of his return, “Triple C” set his sights on 145-pound king Alexander Volkanovski but it appears that Cejudo would need to move mountains to get the champion’s approval.
“Right fights for the right reasons”
In a recent interview with South China Morning Post, Volkanovski spoke candidly about his thoughts on Cejudo re-entering USADA pool once again. Like in his earlier statements, “The Great” reiterated that he’s not taking it any of it seriously as he’s only about the fights that ‘matter’.
“Obviously there’s a few people asking me about it,” Volkanovski said of Cejudo’s potential UFC return. “That’s the only reason I even know about it. I’m not taking it too serious. A lot of people are, but every time he says stuff … The good thing is, you guys want to see that, so that’s sorta good to know.”
“I want to make the right fights for the right reasons,” he stressed. “The fact you guys keep bringing it up, I’m surprised you keep taking it serious with how long he’s been doing all this s***. You guys will take it serious, and nothing happens. I’m surprised you guys are still listening to it.”
Cejudo doesn’t deserve a title shot right away
Cejudo made it clear from the get go that he wants to become UFC’s first three-weight champion. But aside from locking his eyes on the featherweight belt, “The Messenger” also called out bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.
For Volkanovski, Cejudo shouldn’t get a shot at neither him nor Sterling in his return. Instead, the former “champ-champ” should earn it given he hasn’t been around for quite some time.
“I don’t think [Cejudo] he deserves a title shot straight away,” the champ pointed out. He’s been out of the game for a while, he’s retired. He was a bantamweight champion and a flyweight champion, which are great accomplishments. But it doesn’t mean he deserves it.”
“If there ever was a time to flirt with ideas like that, maybe it is now,” he continued. “But because we’re waiting to see who earns that No 1 spot. But I still think he’s in the same position as some of these contenders. They’re probably one fight away. I don’t think he needs a couple of fights. He just needs a feeling out featherweight fight – if he goes there and dominates he will get a title shot for sure.”
Cejudo has not tasted a defeat since 2016. However, he hasn’t fought since 2020 as well and it will be interesting to see if he can walk the talk when he steps inside the octagon once again.
