Henry Cejudo content to stay retired, but likes idea of returning to face Max Holloway, then Alexander Volkanovski

Henry Cejudo says he’ll be just fine if he never again straps up a pair of four-ounce gloves, but he is still willing to try and make more history in the UFC – that is, if the price is right.

“Triple C” retired following a May 2020 win over Dominick Cruz but has often toyed with the idea of making a comeback, providing he and the UFC can come to financial terms. That hasn’t happened up to this point, and Cejudo (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) is quickly gaining prominence as a lead trainer, while he’s also the father to a young baby, as well.

In short, Cejudo is keeping his days filled, regardless, but he’s not ruling out a couple of big fights, especially if they could lead him to a shot at UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, where a win would see the “King of Cringe” earn status as the first three-division champion in the promotion’s history.

“I have the skillset,” Cejudo told The Underground. “I’m smart, I’m young. I’ve taken care of my body. I could beat all these dudes. None of these dudes will touch me, and I mean that, and the two fights that really come to mind if I do end up coming back is give me Max Holloway. If they’re not going to give me Alexander ‘The Average’ for a belt, give me Holloway.

“OK, if they want me to fight somebody to get into that title fight, then give me Holloway. Give me Holloway. I know I could beat him, and then then I get Alexander ‘The Average’ – but I want to get compensated for that.”

According to Cejudo, the financial hurdle is the only stumbling block from his perspective. He said UFC president Dana White is aware of what it would take to get a deal done, but until he’s willing to meet that number, Cejudo is content to stay on the sidelines.

“Of course they know (the number),” Cejudo said. “But you know, this what they do best man: low ball. So it is what it is, and the cool thing about it though, too, is like, I’m not mad at Dana. If he doesn’t feel like I’m worth that, then it’s all good. I have an incredible career that nobody will ever touch.

“(Jon) Jones’ records will be shattered. Demetrious (Johnson’s) records will be shattered. Khabib (Nurmagomedov’s) 29-0 will be shattered. We may never see an Olympic champion and a two-division champion, probably in history. You know what I’m saying? So I put myself in a whole ‘nother category, a whole ‘nother level with Manny Pacquiao, eight-division world champ. Usain Bolt, fastest man on the planet. Michael Phelps, 23 Olympic gold medals. That’s that’s kind of where I’m at. I don’t think people really understand it or really get it, but, you know, I’m happy with my career if I never come back.”

So it seems Cejudo is content to stay retired, but stranger things have happened. The UFC’s demanding schedule of non-stop events requires stars to fill the featured slots, and Cejudo knows how to move the needle, even if he does have to use a little cringe along the way. If Holloway is game and UFC brass can meet his financial demands, Cejudo says he’s all in.

“I’m curious to see what Holloway wants to say about that fight,” Cejudo said. “I respect Holloway, but I also know he’s very beatable, but I also know he’s very dangerous, too, but that’s the same reason why I like it. That’s the same reason why I do believe that Max Holloway would take me seriously, but I think he would fight me more so than what Alexander Volkanovski would, so that’s the route that I would want to go.  

“Give me something that nobody believes that I could beat. Give me a Holloway or give me a Volkanovski. But more importantly, I want you guys to pay me. Show me the money. Show me the green.”