“Could’ve been done behind closed doors” – MMA community SHOCKED as ‘clout chasing’ Henry Cejudo fires coach on UFC countdown show

Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo fires longtime coach Eric Albarracin.

“Could’ve been done behind closed doors” – MMA community SHOCKED as ‘clout chasing’ Henry Cejudo fires coach on UFC countdown show

Henry Cejudo dismisses longtime trainer Eric Albarracin during the UFC 298 countdown show (via Imago/X)

Mixed martial arts star Henry Cejudo made a shocking change to his coaching line-up. This happened in the lead-up to his bout against Merab Dvalishvili. He revealed this on the latest episode of the promotion’s UFC 298 Countdown show. Cejudo informed longtime coach Eric Albarracin that he would not be part of his team for this upcoming fight. He thus effectively ended the partnership that had lasted over a decade.

Albarracin coached Cejudo since his days competing in the Olympic wrestling trials. He played an instrumental part in helping the fighter capture UFC flyweight and bantamweight championships. Cejudo told Albarracin this on the Countdown show:

As of right now, I just want to let you know that for this camp, dude, I'm getting rid of specific coaches, man. That's you included.
Henry Cejudo via the UFC 298 Countdown
YouTube video

Albarracin handled the on-camera dismissal with grace. He noted that his goal was for Cejudo to cement his legacy as the greatest combat sports athlete. Cejudo went on to praise Albarracin’s contributions over the years. This includes guiding Cejudo to two-division championships.

FS Video

This surprising dismissal comes after Cejudo’s split decision loss to Aljamain Sterling last year. The former champ decided changing coaches gives him the best chance of defeating Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298. It remains to be seen if this coaching change pays handsomely or backfires on Cejudo.

Fight fans react to Henry Cejudo firing coach live on camera

The unexpected coaching change revealed on the UFC 298 Countdown episode sparked outrageous reactions from fight fans on social media. Many expressed that dismissing Eric Albarracin so publicly after over a decade together was disrespectful and in poor taste.

Fight fans reacted to Henry Cejudo dismissing Eric Albarracin
Fight fans reacted to Henry Cejudo dismissing Eric Albarracin (via BVM Sports)

Some fight fans felt it came off as mean-spirited and purely for the cameras without a justifiable reason given. Others described it as pretty disrespectful treatment of Albarracin, considering all he contributed to Cejudo’s success. Here are some of the reactions from fight fans:

Firing a loyal coach of over ten years in front of cameras for the UFC Countdown show rubbed many fans the wrong way. It casts Cejudo’s decision in a somewhat questionable light from a respectful perspective.

In case you missed it: