I remember reading the book 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad,' and I remember writing my goals down, and my number one goal in life was just to be a good husband and a good father someday. That was number one, as a 17-year-old kid.
— Henry Cejudo
I'm actually really good friends with Gray Maynard.
I have a purpose and a meaning in life, and I have to fulfill that. Being a champion is great, but more importantly than that, you get to be an inspiration and a role model to other people.
I study myself. I study film, and I make sure that everything's on point.
Coming from the background that I come from, being a gold medalist, you see Ronda Rousey and Daniel Cormier doing so well. Yoel Romero. All these Olympians. It's kinda hard to bet against them.
I've actually picked up a lot of good habits from just watching film from Demetrious Johnson.
Spanish is actually my first language, growing up, and I understand the culture. I understand the culture; I understand what the people want.
I think something that has separated me from the rest of the competition - maybe it's just my way of thinking - I don't necessarily go into fights just wanting to win but to actually dominate. So when I don't feel like I dominate, sometimes I feel like a loser, I guess, you know, maybe in that perspective.
I don't like to open my mouth a lot because, I'll be honest with you, man, I come from the streets.
In the year 2013, I fought six times. I fought four times in two-and-a-half months.
I'm ready for anybody. If it's John Dodson, if it's Demetrious Johnson, if it's Joseph Benavidez, I'm ready for whichever one, whoever wants a piece of me.
My parents are from Mexico City.
I took my time with the sport of MMA. I wrestled, won the Olympics. I boxed for years.
I'm bilingual. I speak English and Spanish.
Everything that I did to win a gold medal, I'm practically transferring it over to mixed martial arts.
I really work on my defense a lot; that's what makes me a good fighter.
At 125, there's nobody in the world that can match my strength.
God bless America. I am American. I'm very patriotic. I love this country.
I'm not an emotional person.
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.
I'm a very detailed fighter. I'm very detailed.
The general public, they get bored. There's no interest because they think, or they know, Demetrious Johnson will always win. And I've always said, even after that loss to Demetrious Johnson, even after he beat me, I said I felt him a little bit. I still believe I can beat him, even after being knocked down the first round.
The reason why I got into mixed martial arts is the competition: I'm a competitor. I wouldn't be doing this for anything else but competition. I want to take out the best.
The only thing I know how to do is survive.
Sometimes when you think something is shiny and gold, it tends to be rusted and bronze, but that's just the way it is, man.
In Mexico, I want to be known as the Aztec Warrior.
I'm a competitor; I love to compete.
I don't want people to think I'm a wrestler.
I would love to fight in Mexico City.
The thing that people don't know about me - I actually boxed amateur for a few years.
My goal is to become a world champion.
In wrestling, you're talking about a fraternity of champions, and I got a chance to be a part of that Olympic championship club. And anyone that ever won the Olympics in wrestling, there's something different about them.
I don't like getting hit.
I got a huge target on my back. But you know what, I'm going to embrace that, and everybody is on notice - flyweights and bantamweights.
When I think of a world class wrestler, I think of Mo Lawal.
You can accomplish anything that you dedicate yourself to. Think how many people struggle across the world, across the country. I know anything is possible if you set your mind, your body, your soul, and your faith to it.
I know success; I've done it, but success is not what everyone thinks it is. It's only a tool and a platform for a greater message. That's where my nickname 'The Messenger' comes from. The UFC and a world title are a platform for something greater. For a bigger purpose.
I think I have all tools in the world to beat anybody at 125 pounds. I really do.
Being humbled is a good thing.
I'm a warrior.
I have the best style to defeat the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world - Demetrious Johnson.
If anything, I get better throughout the rounds.
I have really heavy muscle.
At some point, if the UFC allows me, I'd like to go to 125 because I know I can win that belt, man. I'm too strong, and I'm too fast.
It's up to the UFC, but I'll fight whomever, whenever. Minus maybe Vegas.
I'm a big fan of Jon Jones.
A wrestler loves to compete. At the end of the day, a wrestler just wants to compete.
I always wanted to become a student of the game and at least get six to eight fights before coming to the UFC.
It's part of the sport, getting hit.
I'm a chameleon.
