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Henry Cejudo actually is approaching his battle towards Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298 as a do-or-die scenario.
After hinting retirement may loom on the horizon with a loss on Saturday, Cejudo confirmed he’s placing the whole lot on the road with this upcoming battle. He believes a win ought to put him in place to battle both Sean O’Malley or Marlon “Chito” Vera for the UFC bantamweight title, however a loss will imply the top of his profession.
“That is all or nothing,” Cejudo stated throughout UFC 298 media day. “I sat with the workforce, and I used to be like, ‘It’s both gold or bust.’ I both win all of it, or I’m not going to have it in any respect and I’m out. I’m accomplished.
“I’m placing that timeline, that strain on me, as a result of I do take this sport critical. Folks [will say], ‘Oh you retired [before]’ – it’s like I’ve accomplished the whole lot there may be to do. What the f***? What do I acquired to show? Now, it’s a motivation extra motivated by a little bit little bit of anger. I’m form of pissed at myself a little bit bit, however it’s nonetheless motivated.”
Cejudo left nothing to interpretation about his future when requested level clean if a loss to Dvalishvili would instantly result in his retirement. After all, he understands simply how a lot that ratchets up the strain forward of the battle, however Cejudo stated that’s precisely what he wished.
“Yeah, 100%, [I will retire],” Cejudo stated. “It’s large time strain. As a result of I do know I’ve acquired to battle. You’ve acquired to place these clauses on you. I’m not going to proceed to battle simply to battle. I’m too aggressive. I wish to be the perfect on this planet. I would like that belt, and I actually need that different one [at featherweight]. That’s form of the place I’m at.
“If I can’t have that, then I don’t need something. Hold all of it. Why did I retire? It wasn’t even a cash factor. It was like what else is motivating me? I imply that was a part of it, too. I’d have beloved for Uncle Dana [White] to possibly give me a bump up on my elevate after defending each of my belts, however it’s what it’s. I respect the s*** out of him.”
Whereas his battle at UFC 298 hasn’t formally been dubbed as a No. 1 contender’s bout, Cejudo expects a shot on the title is completely on the road. In reality, he believes his battle with Dvalishvili pits the 2 finest bantamweights on this planet towards one another.
“Between me and Merab, that is the perfect battle at 135 kilos,” Cejudo stated. “That is the actual world title. Sean’s going to select a No. 6 [ranked opponent], decide a man that freaking misplaced 50-45 to [Cory] Sandhagen. That’s what will get a title shot? It is mindless however I additionally get it.
“I get the theatrics and the leisure aspect of it. Sean was in a position to create that, and if you’re a champion, you’ve gotten that leverage. To me, this battle right here decides who the perfect on this planet is.”
Cejudo made it clear that he’s going on the market to beat Dvalishvili after which search the bantamweight championship. If all goes nicely, he plans so as to add a 3rd title to his resume.
“My purpose, and I’m in all probability going to get a number of s*** for this, however the purpose continues to be 145 kilos,” Cejudo stated. “I’ve already conquered and I’ve already defended my 135-pound weight. Yeah, I misplaced my final battle by cut up determination, however I’m not wavering from the purpose of going up.
“I simply really feel like a win over Merab, after which getting the winner out of ‘Chito’ versus Sean, after which I would like [Alexander Volkanovski] or whoever has that belt at 145 kilos, and I really feel like I’ve earned it. I really feel like with my accolades and the advantage that I’ve been in a position to do in fight sports activities, I don’t assume you possibly can deny me.”
Regardless of different alternatives that may very well be made out there to him, Cejudo was adamant that at this stage in his profession, he’s solely fascinated with monumental achievements that may assist outline his legacy as the best fight sports activities athlete in historical past.
If that’s not an possibility, he simply isn’t .
“If I can’t have it, then I simply don’t need it,” Cejudo stated. “Why I got here again — as a result of I felt I may do it once more. However now it’s as much as me. I am going again, I both get all of it, or I don’t need it in any respect. I’m both the perfect on this planet, or I’m not.”
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