SEATTLE – Henry Cejudo believes he’s in a dire place heading into UFC Battle Evening 252. But, on the identical time, he additionally embraces being an underdog towards Music Yadong.
Cejudo (16-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC), a former two-division UFC champion, meets a hungry contender in Music (21-8-1 MMA, 10-3-1 UFC) in the primary occasion at Local weather Pledge Enviornment (ESPN+). It’s a uncommon headliner wherein each fighters are coming off losses, however “Triple C” is assured he’ll get the job accomplished towards a a lot youthful competitor.
“I’m 11 years his elder,” Cejudo advised reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “He’s an explosive fighter, actually good at countering. He’s a man that would shut your lights off with one punch. However I feel the identical motive why his biggest reward can be his worst enemy, too. That fuel tank might utterly go to straight to ‘E.’
“I really like the very fact they’re giving me a youthful fighter. I really like the truth that my again is towards the wall. There’s a chip on my shoulder. I really like the truth that I’m an underdog as a result of these are the moments the place I shine.”
Cejudo, 38, retired from combating as champion instantly after a victory over Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 in Might 2020. After taking a while to himself and begin a household, the aggressive itch introduced the Olympian wrestler again to MMA.
Nonetheless, his return hasn’t been profitable. He misplaced each fights since returning, though to his credit score, the competitors couldn’t get any harder. Former champ Aljamain Sterling eked out a cut up resolution at UFC 288 and his teammate and present champion Merab Dvalishvili gained a dominant unanimous resolution at UFC 298.
Cejudo has solely misplaced back-to-back fights as soon as in his profession, and rebounded from that by profitable six consecutive fights, a run that included capturing the flyweight and bantamweight titles. As he appears to select up his first win since popping out of retirement, Cejudo says he’s nonetheless trying to make a championship push, doubtlessly at flyweight.
“I could possibly be going again down,” Cejudo stated. “With a victory right here, I don’t suppose there’s anyone at flyweight that would promote the division. I feel there’s too many dry folks at that weight division.
“I really feel like what I’ve accomplished in fight sports activities, notably the flyweights, saving that division, again in 2020, there could possibly be a resurrection there. … First issues first: get by Music, get by the dong, and do it that method.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Battle Evening 252.
Make sure to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of blended martial arts.
