Henry Cejudo contemplating flyweight return

Henry Cejudo doesn’t have to make an instantaneous choice, however he’s beginning to weigh the choices, of which there are just a few.

It’s been six months since Cejudo (16-4 MMA, 10-4) stepped contained in the cage and misplaced a title eliminator to Merab Dvlashvili at UFC 298. Since then, Cejudo has loved life as a father of two, a 2024 Olympic Video games spectator in Paris, and a figurehead for rising MMA promotion United Struggle League, which returns Aug. 30.

Competitors nonetheless holds a particular place in Cejudo’s coronary heart, and whereas he’s desperate to get again to throwing punches and capturing takedowns as a whole lot of hundreds watch, an harm’s therapeutic course of continues to have him taking it day-to-day.

“I’ve been icing an harm now for fairly a while,” Cejudo advised MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “I wish to guarantee that I’m 100%. I’m getting again into coaching. … It’s simply permitting this harm to freaking heal. Father Time is actual, dude. I can lastly admit it. It’s simply little nagging issues, however I believe on this specific factor, I wish to be sure that I don’t should get surgical procedure and permit myself to get affected person and take my time. Then, I’m going to be 100%. May I struggle? I might. However am I going to do the identical factor I did in my final struggle to struggle with a torn groin? I’m not going to do this no extra. I believe I discovered my lesson and that’s it.”

After a three-year hiatus that started in 2020, Cejudo returned to the cage in 2023. He’s since misplaced consecutive fights by unanimous choice to Aljamain Sterling and Dvalishvili. Whereas he could be the place he stays, Cejudo mentioned he’s tossing across the concept of a return to the division he proclaims he saved from UFC extinction.

“There might be a possible return at flyweight,” Cejudo mentioned. “These are plenty of issues I’m considering, probably going again down. With the bantamweight division getting sizzling and with the newcomers coming in, there’s been plenty of considered me going again down and getting a struggle with Moreno and profitable the belt as soon as once more. There’s plenty of cool stuff. These are type of issues I actually wish to take into consideration and actually determine as soon as I get dwelling and as soon as I’m injury-free. It’s only one little factor, however it’s a serious factor. As a result of I’m going to be making a dedication to go on the market and simply do one other run, do one other run at these titles and dedicate myself like I used to be earlier than.”

Flyweight is calculated possibility for Cejudo, who turned 37 in February. The bantamweight division is prospering and lots of hungry contenders are chomping on the bit. Cejudo sees recent choices at flyweight, a division he thinks his persona would boost.

“That is my prediction,” Cejudo mentioned. “Merab Dvalishvili goes to cease Sean O’Malley on the Sphere. … He’s going to beat him however as soon as Umar is available in, he’s simply going to have his means with Merab. Umar is admittedly good, actually technical. I simply really feel prefer it’s going to go down the road. Deiveson Figueiredo goes to struggle a man like Petr Yan, which is a struggle I wished. These guys are chasing Deiveson Figueiredo, so the place does that go away me, man? Am I going to struggle simply to struggle? Or am I going to chase one thing?

“I’m after gold now. I believe if I do go all the way down to 125 kilos and keep disciplined, I don’t suppose there’s anybody that may beat me. Plus, I believe there’s a enjoyable struggle with Brandon Moreno. He wished to struggle me at 135 after which he backed out like a bit of b*tch. Now, I believe if I am going down and I beat him in Mexico, in his personal nation, I believe that might be a big-ass payday too.”

It’s vital to acknowledge bantamweight remains to be very a lot on the desk. However ought to that flyweight return be his choice, Cejudo mentioned he needs to do it correctly. There shall be no dashing the preparation.

“I don’t wish to be preventing folks simply to struggle folks,” Cejudo mentioned. “I wish to get near that belt. I believe that’s the place that I fall in proper now. … If it’s one thing that I do determine to do, the most important factor for me goes to be self-discipline and taking myself again there as soon as once more. It’s the weight reduce. However on the identical time, I’ve been eager about it. It’s what I want. Perhaps I want extra self-discipline. Perhaps I want… if the bar is ready that top, which means I’ve to have extra dedication on that aspect.

“It’s not enjoyable. I hated making that weight. I’m additionally wiser and smarter proper now. How’s it that I might do it and do it in the perfect scientific means whereas feeling good and spice issues up? Like I mentioned, it’s an concept that’s simply floating round. If I do determine to go all the way down to 125 kilos, it’s going to be a six-month course of. It’s going to be a six-month course of and I’m going to do it proper. I believe there’s plenty of enjoyable matchups and to ruffle some feathers. Why not? These flyweights want it.”