Despite being an esteemed bantamweight, Henry Cejudo is hardly a favorite for the UFC Seattle main event, according to many fans. Cejudo has yet to win an MMA fight since his return in 2023, having lost to Aljamain Sterling and reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili. The former two-division UFC champion is now 0-2 since his comeback. But if there’s anyone who knows how to make a comeback from adversity in life, it’s Henry Cejudo. After all, he is the only man in the UFC’s flyweight history to have beaten the division’s GOAT Demetrious Johnson.
Henry Cejudo is well-known for his accomplishments in combat sports. But his path to the top has not been simple. His life story is one of perseverance, overcoming adversity, and beating the odds against him. Raised in an unstable and impoverished environment, Cejudo’s story is truly an inspiring one. So, without further ado, let’s find out all about his early life and his parents.
Who are Henry Cejudo’s parents?
Henry Cejudo was born in Los Angeles, California, to Mexican immigrants and is the second youngest of seven siblings. His parents, who moved from Mexico in search of a better life, struggled to support their large family. Cejudo’s father’s addiction led to violent outbursts, negatively impacting the family.
His mother, Nelly Rico, was the family’s rock, often working multiple jobs to keep food on the table. However, the instability caused by his father’s destructive actions compelled the family to live in constant fear. Cejudo has openly spoken about the instability of his childhood, noting the hardships his mother faced while attempting to protect her children.
Look at me and my mama chilling in first class. No better feeling than sharing it with your mom. pic.twitter.com/recOewaI
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 22, 2012
‘Triple C’ fled Los Angeles with his family when he was four years old after his father threatened to take everyone’s lives. And this was not an isolated incident—his father’s unpredictable violence and legal problems made family life difficult. His mother eventually relocated the children to New Mexico in search of safety and stability. However, things did not get any easier.
Henry Cejudo‘s father was arrested shortly after their escape during a street confrontation. While in jail, he was deported to Mexico, leaving Cejudo to grow up without him. His father’s disappearance only added to the family’s financial difficulty, leaving his mother alone to face every responsibility alone. Henry Cejudo’s father passed away when he was about 20 years old.
More about Henry Cejudo’s tough childhood
After a few years in New Mexico, the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and settled in Maryvale, one of the city’s poorest areas. Despite his mother’s diligent efforts, they lived in extreme poverty, migrating from place to place and often lacking a permanent home. Cejudo and his siblings had to get by with very little. He has frequently mentioned how they slept on floors, sometimes without beds or suitable furniture. He also mentioned periods when they didn’t have electricity or running water, which made daily life difficult. Despite the difficulties, his mother consistently encouraged discipline and hard work.
As a child, Cejudo was trapped between two worlds: poverty and the necessity to build a path out of it. With very little money and direction, he and his older brother, Angel, took up wrestling. Their natural knack for the sport gave them a sense of direction, a rare source of stability in an otherwise chaotic life. However, their path was not simple.
‘Triple C’ frequently had to borrow shoes and equipment since he did not have enough money to purchase suitable training gear. He has often shared personal stories about how he and his brother practiced in tough conditions, making the most of what was available. His mother regarded wrestling as a way for her children to break the cycle of poverty. While his physical ability was clear from an early age, growing up in a rough neighborhood meant that distractions and risks were everywhere.
Henry Cejudo had to be resilient, maintaining focus on wrestling while navigating a difficult environment in which many children slipped into crime. His commitment to the sport gradually led to further possibilities, such as training camps and contests that moved him away from his challenging circumstances. And before you know it, he became the legend we all know now.
Henry Cejudo now enters the UFC Seattle main event with the lessons of his history. While he may not be the favorite, he has lived his entire life beating the odds. So, it would be interesting to see if he can turn things around inside the Octagon in his next fight. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
The post Henry Cejudo’s Parents: Deportation of Father & Heartbreaking Story Behind UFC Star’s Childhood appeared first on EssentiallySports.