Urijah Faber is preparing to face Henry Cejudo in a grappling match this Saturday at Real American Freestyle 06, fully aware that he is the underdog. Despite the odds favoring Cejudo, a decorated combat athlete, Faber welcomes the challenge, driven by his belief in his own abilities and experience.
Faber’s confident outlook centers on the fact that Cejudo, known as ‘Triple C,’ is an Olympic gold medalist and former two-division UFC champion. Many spectators expect Cejudo’s superior wrestling and MMA pedigree to dominate the contest, but Faber is ready to defy expectations.
Henry Cejudo’s Elite Athletic Achievements
Henry Cejudo stands out as one of the most accomplished fighters in combat sports. His accolades include an Olympic gold medal in wrestling, along with reigns as UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion. He is among the select few fighters who have simultaneously held titles in two weight classes.
Cejudo’s impressive resume highlights his wrestling expertise and his ability to transition seamlessly from amateur wrestling to professional mixed martial arts, making him a formidable opponent in any grappling competition.
Faber’s Perspective on Taking on Cejudo as a Younger Adversary
In an exclusive interview, Faber acknowledged the challenges he faces in competing against a younger and recently retired athlete of Cejudo’s caliber. He explained,
“A matchup like this with Henry, he’s freshly retired, he’s eight years younger than I am, he’s an Olympic gold medallist,”
Urijah Faber said.
He also shared a candid outlook on his mindset going into the fight:
“I’ve got all kinds of delusional reasons why I’m going to beat him.”
Faber admitted that while he plans to keep competing until he feels his performance declines, he considers RAF 06 a key opportunity to score another notable victory on his distinguished career record. Comparing his current fitness level, Faber mentioned,
“I feel great, I’m like an in-shape Daniel Cormier when he won his world championship – that’s what my dad-bod looks like right now.”
He emphasized his physical advantages heading into the match, noting that Cejudo secured his Olympic gold at 121 pounds, a weight class uncommon among fully grown men. Faber expects to outweigh his opponent by around 10 pounds and praised his strength, which benefits from not needing to cut weight. He concluded,
“I’ve got all these things in my mind. Like, I think I’m gonna win.”
The Dynamic Between Urijah Faber and Henry Cejudo Outside the Cage
While Henry Cejudo was often seen as a controversial figure during his MMA career, Urijah Faber expressed great respect and fondness for him. Faber described Cejudo’s unapologetic personality with warmth and humor, stating,
“It’s so funny because I love Henry Cejudo,”
He elaborated on Cejudo’s candid nature and unique charisma, recognizing that some found the fighter’s behavior “cringey,” yet Faber admired how Cejudo embraced it unapologetically. He recalled their early interactions, highlighting Cejudo’s transition into MMA after considering options like boxing and attempting to return to Olympic wrestling. Faber praised Cejudo’s determination and impact on the sport, saying,
“For me, I’ve got a lot of respect for the guy. I think he’s a crack-up. He makes me laugh on purpose and on accident, too. I don’t think he knows how entertaining he is half the time, but I enjoy having him as part of our sport. I know he’s a gamer, he likes to win, and that’s the same type of guy I am.”
The High Stakes and What Lies Ahead Following RAF 06
This grappling match between two high-profile combat athletes carries significant weight for both competitors, especially for Faber, who aims to upset expectations and add a victory over Cejudo to his legacy. Fans are watching closely to see if the seasoned UFC Hall of Famer can overcome the Olympic gold medalist’s youth and athletic pedigree.
The outcome of RAF 06 could influence both fighters’ future plans, with Faber seeking to prolong his time competing at a top level and Cejudo gauging his ability to dominate even after retirement. This bout underscores the ongoing appeal of competitive matchups between elite athletes from wrestling and MMA backgrounds.
