Is Henry Cejudo Mexican or American? All You Need to Know About His Ethnicity and Next Fight at UFC 288

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-champ’ 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.

Is Henry Cejudo an American or Mexican? 

The former UFC champion is an American citizen. He was born to Jorge Cejudo and Nelly Rico in Los Angeles. But he faced tumult for years while growing up and therefore moved places to adapt and build a better life.

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

Where is Henry Cejudo from? 

While the former wrestler grew up in Los Angeles, he switched places due to his father’s troubles with addiction. His mother flew Cejudo and his six siblings to first New Mexico, and after spending a couple of years there, settled down in Phoenix.

The Cejudo family still lived in harsh conditions, although it was an upgrade to a two-bedroom shack in Los Angeles. His mother juggled multiple jobs to keep the family afloat and her perseverance tricked down to ‘The Messenger’.

Likewise, the MMA fighter doesn’t shy away from acknowledging his mother’s important role in his life. He once stated, “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.”

What is Henry Cejudo’s parents’ Ethnicity? 

Both of Cejudo’s parents were Mexican immigrants. However, his father ran into trouble and got deported when the 16-2 record holder was a mere 6 years old. Thus, his mother took the responsibility of raising him and his other six siblings all by herself.

The Olympic medalist has embraced his past and candidly talked about it on numerous occasions.

Cejudo once told the Los Angeles Times, “My biological father, Jorge, kept getting in trouble, hooked on every drug you can think of, and eventually got deported. He passed away when I was 20. That’s what happens when you play with fire. That comes from my bloodline. That’s reality. That’s life.”

Similarly, at the Latinos for Trump rally in South Phoenix in 2020, the American fighter recalled, “My dad wasn’t the best human. He came to this country as a foreigner, broke the law, and was deported.”

Read More: “He Lets His Emotions Cloud His Judgement”: Israel Adesanya Lashes Out at “Cringe King” Henry Cejudo Ahead of His Long-Awaited Return at UFC 288 Against Aljamain Sterling

Cejudo never let his chequered past bother him and ended his career as one of the best in UFC history. However, he called off retirement early as he couldn’t resist the charm and excitement of fighting inside the Octagon for long.

About Henry Cejudo’s next fight, UFC 288

Notably, he squares off against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288 for the bantamweight title. The title showdown between them takes place on May 6 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Both the fighters, well-equipped in verbal warfare, headline the UFC 288 fight card. While Cejudo is coming off a three-year-long hiatus and might become a victim to ring rust, ‘Funkmaster’ has gone past the likes of Petr Yan and TJ Dillashaw to hold on to the 145 lbs crown.

What do you think of these amusing details about former UFC champion Henry Cejudo? Let us know in the comments below.

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