Phoenix's Henry Cejudo is ready for return to UFC
This Saturday, almost three years to the day since he retired from professional fighting in UFC, Henry Cejudo's comeback will be complete.
The west Phoenix native who won an Olympic wrestling gold medal in 2008 and went on to win two UFC championships in different weight classes makes his official return to the octagon on May 6 at UFC 288 in Newark, New Jersey. Cejudo, 36, faces Aljamain Sterling (22-3) for the bantamweight (135-pound) title in the main event.
Cejudo announced his retirement at UFC 249 on May 9, 2020, after he defeated Dominick Cruz to defend the bantamweight title. The announcement came rather suddenly, at the end of his post-fight interview in the octagon, but Cejudo thanked his team and UFC president Dana White.
Now at 16-2 over his career, and after starting a family while continuing to observe UFC closely all the while, "Triple C" is confident he can win back his bantamweight title and more. He retired on a six-fight winning streak.
"I retired three years ago because I accomplished everything there is to do," Cejudo said. "The youngest Olympic champion in history, two-division champion, defended both of my belts, I mean, what else is there to do?" Cejudo said. "I mean, I'm just that good."
Cejudo spent his time away from UFC continuing to stay in shape. He got married, had a daughter and he and his wife Ana Karolina are expecting another child. He coached, made appearances (including at a political rally in support of Donald Trump's re-election campaign in 2020) and offered his opinions on UFC fighters.
He also got the urge to compete again.
"Enjoying the fruits of my labor, and the sparks started coming back, the love of me doing this started coming back," Cejudo said.
Cejudo had fun being a spectator and "trolling" other fighters. But it's back to business.
In Sterling, Cejudo sees someone who doesn't have any big physical advantage over him.
"I'm the hitman. The UFC brought me back to take this guy out. I'm not going to mention the official but I got a phone call from a UFC official, very high ranked up there. They pretty much said 'Hey man, you got the next title shot. I think you know what we want you to do.' And I'm like 'I'm the man.' I'm the hitman for UFC 288. It's time to make the bantamweight division great again."
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Olympic, UFC champ Henry Cejudo set to make comeback
