TUF 24 Finale's Henry Cejudo: Poor showing against Johnson could prevent second title shot

LAS VEGAS – Henry Cejudo is pretty realistic about his position in the UFC flyweight division after he was blasted for a first-round TKO loss in his title-fight opportunity against Demetrious Johnson at UFC 197 in April.

Almost everyone in the UFC wants to fight for a belt, but given the underwhelming nature of Cejudo’s (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) previous performance, he knows it could be a long road back to another fight with Johnson (25-2-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC), even if he impressively beats Joseph Benavidez (24-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) on Saturday at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale.

Benavidez, No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA flyweight rankings, is considered by most to be the best fighter in the division outside of No. 1-ranked Johnson. He’s only lost to “Mighty Mouse” at 125 pounds, and while beating him would represent the most significant victory of No. 3-ranked Cejudo’s career, he said he doubts it would be enough to warrant another title fight so soon.

“Because of the fashion that I lost to Demetrious, I’m not sure what the UFC is thinking,” Cejudo told MMAjunkie. “Even if I beat Joseph Benavidez, it might be different because of the way (Johnson) beat me, the fashion I went out. I’m not sure. I’m just looking forward to fighting him then taking it from there.”

The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale takes place at The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The card airs on FS1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

Although Cejudo, 29, still has aspirations of becoming the first athlete in history to win a gold medal at the Olympics and a UFC championship in a single career, he’s largely dialed back his focus to center around the showdown with Benavidez.

There’s not the kindest of feelings between the two competitors after spending several weeks in close quarters as coaches of “The Ultimate Fighter 24” reality series. They verbally clashed several times during taping of the show, and some of Benavidez’s comments captured headlines across the MMA world.

Cejudo can admit some of Benavidez’s attacks bothered him, but also said he wasn’t compelled to bicker back-and-forth. He intends on providing his response inside the octagon.

“It does make it a little more personal because of some of the things he says and some of things he’s still saying, but I’m just looking forward to fighting him and getting him off my back,” Cejudo said. “I’m just sick of him. I’m immune to it, but I hate hearing it from my family, I hate hearing it from my friends, I hate hearing it from my coaches.

“What am I going to do? Talk back and be like two project chicks from ‘Love and Hip Hop?'” he continued. “It’s not my style. It’s just maturity on my side, I feel I’ve grown a little bit more. I wish him the best after this fight, he can conquer the world if he wants to do or do whatever he wants to do. But other than the 15 personal minutes we’re join to have, that’s it.”

Whether it was part of Benavidez’s plan of attack or not, Cejudo made it clear he won’t allow emotion or personal feelings about his opponent to trickle over into his performance. Sure, Benavidez’s comments may have driven Cejudo to train harder and show up to the fight in absolute top form, but “The Messenger” said all of that falls to the wayside once he gets in the octagon.

“I’ve been competing my whole life, this isn’t my first rodeo,” Cejudo said. “I have to fight with (my mind) and it will transfer over into my whole body. I got to be able to stick with the game plan and fight people accordingly, be able to adjust. I’m not going there emotional or to knock him out in the first round. I’m here to fight a smart fight.”

For more on The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.