Henry Cejudo Ethnicity, Background & Immigrant Story You Don’t Know About

Henry Cejudo knows how to leave an imprint whenever he fights, either on a mat or inside a cage. The MMA fighter carries the distinction of being the sole athlete to bag the Olympic gold medal and also wrap the UFC belt around his waist. In addition, the 36-year-old fighter is also part of a small exclusive group of ‘champ-champs’ in the promotion’s history.

During his stint, ‘Triple C’ rose to stardom and after reaching the pinnacle of sports, he abruptly announced his retirement after defending the bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249. But the Los Angeles native’s rise to glory is nothing short of a remarkable fable of grit, determination, and perseverance. These are the qualities the fighter took after his immigrant mother, Nelly Rico.

Where is Henry Cejudo from? Ethnicity and nationality

Henry Cejudo is an American by birth but carries the fire of his Mexican ancestry. He was born in Los Angeles, California, to parents Jorge Cejudo and Nelly Rico, both undocumented immigrants. However, life in LA wasn’t easy. Struggling with poverty and instability, Cejudo and his family were constantly on the move, searching for a better life.

His father, tangled in the grip of drugs and alcohol, was largely absent. By the time Henry turned six, Jorge was deported, leaving his mother to raise their children alone. It was a tough reality, but one that forged Cejudo’s unrelenting mindset.

Despite the struggles, the wrestling mat became his refuge. At just 21, he made history at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, becoming the youngest American wrestler to ever win gold. But even as he soared on the international stage, he never forgot his roots.

“I’m an American,” Cejudo once told a live crowd before his rematch with Demetrious Johnson at UFC 277. “But I never forget about my Mexican descent, and that’s what pumps through my blood and my mentality—being that Aztec warrior.”

Henry Cejudo’s parents and immigration story

With a father battling addiction and a mother carrying the weight of seven children, life was a constant struggle. After Jorge’s deportation, Nelly Rico moved her family from Los Angeles to New Mexico and eventually settled in Phoenix, Arizona.

But even in the new location, conditions were harsh for the young Henry Cejudo and his family. His mother worked multiple jobs—cleaning, sewing, and doing whatever it took to provide. This work ethic left a lasting imprint on her son, which he has carried with him throughout his combat sports career and beyond.

In an interview, Cejudo once revealed, “Having a mother who did so much for me. She taught me how to work hard and where dedication comes from. She always taught me to work with pride and dignity. What you do, you do 100%. There’s never an excuse.”

But growing up without a father also took its toll. According to a conversation with ‘Rolling Stone’, ‘Triple C’ confessed, “Growing up without a dad and not having a father figure – I noticed a hole in my life. For the longest time, I would run away from my problems instead of confronting them. I felt empty at one point. Not depressed, but empty.”

He embraced his struggles, learned from them, and turned them into stepping stones toward greatness. From the streets of Los Angeles to Olympic glory and UFC dominance, his story is woven with hardship, perseverance, and an unbreakable connection to his roots.

Now, at UFC Fight Night 252, Henry Cejudo will return to action after suffering a tough loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298 in 2024. He’ll be taking on the dangerous Song Yadong, a fierce striker known for his incredible power and is currently ranked just behind Cejudo at no. 8 in the bantamweight division.   

With two losses since his return from retirement, ‘Triple C’ finds himself at a crossroads. Can he summon the same fire that once made him an Olympic champion and a UFC double champ? Or has the tide turned against him? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.