UFC News 2016: Flyweight Fighter Admits Getting Hate Mail After Siding Against Conor McGregor
UFC flyweight title contender Henry Cejudo admitted to being on the receiving end of hate mail after siding with the UFC with regards to the Conor McGregor issue.
"The Notorious" is currently involved in a business rift with the UFC, after he refused to partake in the usual media obligations that every fighter is require to go through during major events.
For his part, McGregor maintains that he merely wanted some leeway from the grueling requirements that press obligations entails, noting how he would rather focus on training and successfully avenge his most recent loss. This, however, was not given to him.
The situation has led the UFC's top management to take him out of his scheduled rematch against Nate Diaz at UFC 200 on July 9th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. McGregor's actions have garnered both positive and negative reactions from both fighters and mere pundits alike.
One of the more vocal ones who went against the Irish mixed martial arts superstar was Cejudo. Speaking to MMA Fighting.com's Ariel Helwani prior to his flyweight title fight against Demetrious Johnson on Saturday night at UFC 197, the old Olympic gold medalist in wrestling clarified his statements.
Cejudo noted that he understands where McGregor is coming from after reading the lengthy Facebook post he released late last week. But at the same time, he says fighters would need to comply with the PR requirements, in order to match up with the other major athletic leagues.
"I think people tend to take it out of context but, I'm just saying that in order for the UFC to get to the NFL; the MLB; the NBA, there's things that need to be done in order for corporate America - for corporate sponsors to get involved with mixed martial arts," Cejudo said.
The 29-year old fighter also revealed that he had been on the receiving end of hate mail after siding against McGregor.
"Never go against Conor, dude. I'm already getting hate mail, dude, and it's thanks to MMA Fighting [laughs]. I like Conor, I'm a big fan of his," he said. "I just feel like sometimes, the UFC needs to do things in order for the company to grow."