Henry "Triple C" Cejudo, the former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight champion, and one of only four double champions in UFC history spoke in an exclusive conversation to Sports TAK. Known for his Olympic gold medal in wrestling and his dominance in the octagon, Cejudo has made a triumphant return to the sport after a brief retirement. In this candid conversation, he shared his motivations, future plans, and dreams of reclaiming UFC glory.
What Inspired the Comeback?
Cejudo’s decision to return to the UFC after achieving so much—becoming a double champion, an Olympic gold medalist, and one of the most decorated combat sports athletes—left many fans wondering what drove him back into the cage.
"It's the challenge," Cejudo explained. "It's the challenge of seeing if I can still do it again. And it's the challenge of great competition."
He reflected on his recent fights, including close split-decision losses to Aljamain Sterling and Marlon Vera, two of the division's top contenders. "It's just testing yourself, testing yourself," he said. Beyond the competition, Cejudo also emphasized the importance of providing for his family. "When you have a family, you gotta work, you gotta do what's best. You gotta live that certain lifestyle."
For Cejudo, the comeback is a mix of personal ambition and responsibility. "A lot of things come to conclusion—what fits me, what's going to make me better, and not just me, but also my family. I think a lot of that stuff tends to play a big part in making a decision."
The Road Ahead: Song Yadong and Beyond
Cejudo’s next challenge is a tough matchup against rising star Song Yadong. When asked if this fight signals more appearances from "Triple C," Cejudo didn’t hold back.
"Of course, man. Of course," he said. "I think Song's a great opponent. He's very strong, very dangerous, very explosive, and powerful. But I'm taking every fight as it is. I'm not even thinking ahead."
Cejudo’s focus is clear: dominate his next opponent and keep climbing the ranks. "I gotta get through a very tough opponent in Song and make him bend the knee, to say the least," he added with a smile.
Lofty Dreams: Volkanovski and Title Aspirations
Cejudo has never been one to shy away from big challenges. During his retirement, he openly discussed the possibility of moving up a division to face Alexander Volkanovski, the reigning featherweight champion. While those plans have shifted, the ambition remains.
"Those lofty dreams, they could still be there, but I gotta continue to keep winning," Cejudo said. "You gotta crawl before you walk, and walk before you run. With Volkanovski, yeah, that was something I really wanted. I wanted to do something different, something nobody has ever done."
However, Cejudo acknowledged that Volkanovski’s future in the sport is uncertain. "As of right now, Volkanovski has the belt, and if I become champion, we could run it. But I'm not sure how many years he has left. So, it's not even on my radar anymore."
For Cejudo, the ultimate goal is clear: reclaiming the UFC title. "If that wasn't my goal, then I don't want to fight. If I can't become the best in the world, then why do it?" he stated emphatically.
Henry Cejudo’s journey is far from over. With his sights set on reclaiming UFC gold and testing himself against the best, "Triple C" continues to inspire fans with his unwavering determination and champion’s mindset. As he prepares for his next fight, one thing is certain: Henry Cejudo is here to prove that he’s still one of the greatest combat sports athletes of all time.