Henry Cejudo Mulls Second Retirement Following UFC 288 Loss

The former two-division champion finds himself at a crossroads at this point in his career.

Following a nearly three-year layoff, former two-division champion Henry Cejudo's return to the octagon didn't go as planned at UFC 288. His Bantamweight title fight with Aljamain Sterling went the distance but Cejudo was unable to win back the belt following a loss by split decision.

READ MORE: UFC 288 Live Results

The defeat marked Cejudo's first loss in the UFC since December 3, 2016. While speaking to Joe Rogan in the immediate aftermath of the decision, he seemed to be contemplating stepping away from the sport for a second time.

"I just don't know, Joe. I just don't know. You tell me. It was close but Aljamain did his job, he got the victory. It sucks man, I hate losing but it's also been three years," Cejudo said. "I just don't know where to take it from here Joe, I'm a little confused right now. Whether I continue. It's like Ricky Bobby, if I'm not first, I'm last. If I can't beat Alja, my biggest goal was to go up to 245 pounds. If I can't get the victory over him then I just know where that puts me."

The California native picked up his pace over the second half of the bout but Sterling controlled the tempo. He landed 43 more total strikes (186-143) while connecting on 135 significant strikes. Cejudo had his moments but they didn't come as consistently and furiously as Sterling.

It's clear that Cejudo is at a crossroads at this point in his career. He wants to be around for his family with another child on the way.

"I don't know, man. I got to look back. My wife's pregnant, we're getting ready to have another kid. Even these two to three months, not being able to give my kid that attention. I'm a good father," Cejudo said while speaking to the media. "I love spending time with my kid, I love playing with them. Cutting weight, not holding her, kind of neglecting them, having a lot of my training partners play with her. A lot of you guys don't give a f*** but to me it's the time with my kid means the world to me, especially with another one on the way."

Cejudo might have to make one more run before he hangs up the gloves for good after he was recently challenged by Brandon Moreno. The two former friends turned rivals could match up for the right price with Cejudo stating "money talks" and that he'll be in discussions with his family and Dana White.

READ MORE: Aljamain Sterling Decisions Henry Cejudo In Close Battle

Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC and MMA

Follow MMA Knockout on Twitter and Facebook