Henry Cejudo’s UFC return will probably be a title shot, and it may very well be lower than two months away, in response to the previous double champion.
When he joined the LFA 149 broadcast Friday in Chandler, Ariz., Cejudo (22-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) confirmed the promotion is engaged on a battle in opposition to bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 285, a pay-per-view occasion scheduled for March 5 at T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas.
“The UFC is taking pictures for March 5,” Cejudo mentioned. “It’s as much as him to chop a few of that fats that he has and avoid that rattling Hennessy, however he’s subsequent.”
Sterling (22-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) beforehand mentioned on his podcast the Cejudo bout will probably be subsequent however solely talked about “March” because the timeline. MMA Junkie beforehand talked about UFC 285 because the focused occasion on the Dec. 6 episode of “Spinning Again Clique.”
Cejudo, 35, has not competed since Might 2020 when he efficiently defended the UFC bantamweight title in opposition to Dominick Cruz. After the battle, Cejudo retired, a call that caught many without warning.
“I wanted a break,” Cejudo mentioned. “I’ve been wrestling on the highest degree since age 11. I by no means actually took a break. Me being off for shut to 3 years, having a child, spending time together with her, watching her develop, watching her stroll, watching her begin speaking, has been the largest blessings. Every little thing I do, I take critically. I had my enjoyable. I had my dad bod, as you already know. I’m simply able to take some necks and money some rattling checks.”
The division is far totally different than when Cejudo left. There was a altering of the guard amongst many contenders, and bantamweight is regarded by many pundits as the game’s strongest division. Cejudo is aware of what he’s getting himself into.
“It’s stacked from high to backside from the contenders like Sean O’Malley to me, the double champ, coming again to Aljamain Sterling (and) what he’s finished to this point,” Cejudo mentioned. “From T.J. (Dillashaw) and the entire deal to (Cory) Sandhagen nonetheless knocking on the door, the division is stacked from high to backside. I feel it’s enjoyable.
“I feel there’s lots of enjoyable fights to make, and I’m right here to carry the leisure. I’m right here to carry out. No. 1, I’m a competitor. I like to compete. I like to take my expertise to the subsequent degree. The one motive why I smack discuss is it motivates me. I’ve acquired to stay as much as what I’m telling you, and I do it.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 285.
Gallery
Pictures: Henry Cejudo by way of the years
