Henry Cejudo is a seasoned combatant on the brink of what could be his final bout. He is making a significant shift in his approach.
In a recent UFC Countdown episode released on February 11, Cejudo dropped a bombshell by announcing a major change in his preparation for the upcoming UFC 298 bout against the formidable Merab Dvalishvili.
The former champion revealed an unexpected decision to his longtime coach, Eric Albarracin. He stated: “You were with me for my last Olympic trials [and] you’ve been there for me but as of right now, I just want to let you know, man, that for this camp, dude, I’m getting rid of specific coaches, man. That’s you included, dude.”
Cejudo explained his choice during an interview on the show, expressing that he felt he had become ‘too comfortable’ with Albarracin and needed a fresh perspective.
Despite the disappointment, Albarracin gracefully accepted the news. He acknowledged that they had achieved their ‘dream’ of developing Cejudo into the greatest combat athlete of all time.
The episode further delved into Cejudo’s preparation plans for the UFC 298 camp with the Fight Ready team. Cejudo emphasized his desire to keep everything ‘strictly business.’
In 2024, Henry Cejudo may take his last step into the octagon after having previously announced his retirement in 2023.
Following a championship loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288, Cejudo sees his bout against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298 as a title eliminator. The winner earns a chance to face either Sean O’Malley or Marlon Vera later in the year.
But Cejudo acknowledges that if he doesn’t find the success he desires against Dvalishvili, it might mark the conclusion of his remarkable career.
In an interview on The HJR Experiment on YouTube, Cejudo reflects on the hardships of the sport. He talks about balancing training camps with family responsibilities.
Cejudo said:Â “This sport is hard, man. Training camps [while] having two kids and all that. It’s all or nothing, man.”
Henry Cejudo had previously retired after a successful knockout of Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 in 2020.