“Can’t be in the Mount Rushmore,” Dana White shuts down Henry Cejudo ‘GOAT’ claims without ‘few more’ wins

Dana White thinks Henry Cejudo is not yet on the Mt. Rushmore of MMA. He feels Cejudo's retirement in 2020 hurt his legacy.

“Can’t be in the Mount Rushmore,” Dana White shuts down Henry Cejudo ‘GOAT’ claims without ‘few more’ wins

Dana White and Henry Cejudo (Image via Bleacher Report/MMA Mania)

Henry Cejudo will return to the octagon this weekend for the bantamweight title fight against Aljamain Sterling. Before his brief retirement in 2020, Cejudo was a double champion and defended his belt in both weight classes. Couple that with an Olympic gold medal; Cejudo belongs in the GOAT conversation. However, UFC president Dana White does not believe so. In an interview with TMZ, White listed certain conditions for Cejudo to enter the GOAT discussion.

Dana White said, “Well, there’s no doubt. The guy has broken a lot of records. He’s accomplished a lot here. But to go out there and start saying ‘Hey, I should be there on Mount Rushmore’ when you’ve been retired for three years and when you retired, in my opinion, sort of early.”

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For most MMA fans, Jon Jones remain as the undisputed GOAT of the sport. “While I agree he would be on Mt. Rushmore, still tough to call himself a G.O.A.T while Jon Jones exists,” said Dana White. With Cejudo going head to head with Sterling at UFC 288, he will look to win the bantamweight title and put on some title defenses to reach the GOAT status.

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Henry Cejudo is the only athlete with an Olympic gold medal and championships in two divisions. Cejudo was also one of the only four fighters to become a simultanoeus two-division champion. Despite all his achievements, White still claims ‘Triple C’ needs a few more wins under his wing to even enter the Mount Rushmore of MMA conversation.

Related : WATCH: Dana White shows off fitness at 53 years by acing the cold plunge in New York

Dana White lists his top five fighters

Dana White
Dana White on his top 5 UFC fighters of all time ( via : MMA Junkie)

No one played a more pivotal role than Dana White in developing the sport of MMA. Through his years as the UFC President, White witnessed the formation of legends inside the octagon. He has acquired talents outside the organization, witnessing many fighters’ rise and fall. With his promotion, he developed unknown names like T.J. Dillashaw and Michael Bisping to the status of a star.

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Given White’s involvement in the organization, he is fairly qualified to assess the greatest fighters in MMA history. His interview with GQ Sports White revealed his list of the five best UFC athletes. “Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Ronda Rousey, Conor McGregor, GSP,” said White listing his top picks. He also added that many people deserve to be on the list.

“There’s so many other people that should be on there — Usman should be on there… Whatever you think about Jon, it’s hard not to call him the GOAT,” added the 53-year-old. It will not surprise anyone if Dana White updates his list as the sport continues to produce new talents and superstars.

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