Henry Cejudo’s Confession: “Money is My Only Motivation”

Henry Cejudo, the UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion, stated that he is willing to give up one of his titles if he gets a good financial offer. In the recent interview for the MMA Fighting YouTube channel, the 32-year old expressed his willingness to drop one belt, but only if he gets a satisfying offer.

Cejudo (15-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) admitted that his only motive for fighting is the money. Triple C didn’t have any problems with being straightforward and honest, which might have shocked a few of his fans.

During his interview, he was asked about the return and whether he has any plans for the next fight. Cejudo answered that at the moment, he doesn’t think about that, due to the recovery process of his injury, yet he added that he doesn’t wish to hold two belts.

“Nothing’s been decided yet, just because of an injury,” he said. ” We don’t want to do anything until you are 100%.”

After that, he threw an even bigger bomb.

“So if I have to relinquish the belt, and I am willing to do that. But you know the number still has to be right with Triple C. I am in this game for 100% money,” Cejudo stated, emphasizing the last three words.

Nobody still knows what will be Dana White’s reaction, but the UFC president will for sure have one. Meanwhile, the former Olympic gold medalist didn’t stop there but continued.

“I’m not in this for another championship. I’ve accomplished everything, and everything I ever wanted, and one thing is missing. That’s a whole bunch of zeroes behind me competing and entertaining people.”

Unlike the majority of other fighters, Triple C chose not to hide his true motives, but he probably wanted to give a signal to White that he might be unhappy with the current status, especially referring to the financial aspect.

As a champion in two weight classes (4th in history to hold them at the same time) and his background, Cejudo should be among the top paid guys in the UFC. However, up until this point, he headlined two events. The first one was against TJ Dillashaw in January this year once he defeated the Flyweight title for the first time, and the second at UFC 238 against Marlon Moraes. He would beat the Brazilian and win the vacant bantamweight title.

On both occasions, he won the Performance of the Night bonuses. But according to this interview, he isn’t happy at all.

After that fight, Triple C decided to become inactive at least until the New Year due to a shoulder injury he picked up in the first round of that contest. He tore the subscapularis muscle, and the only way of repairing it was by undergoing a surgery. The initial prognoses of his absence were between four and five months, but that will be longer the way things stand now.

He also had troubles with his ankle before and during the fight with Moraes, and Cejudo may want to recover his body before fully, before he starts chasing big money.

In the rest of his interview, he mentioned Jose Aldo and his intention to come down to his category and make a run for the title, saying that Aldo is too old and that he knows who is the King of the Rio.

Cejudo would also praise Amanda Nunes, saying that she is Demetrious-Johnson-like dominant in her category.