Henry Cejudo parts ways with longtime coach Eric Albarracin ahead of UFC 298

Henry Cejudo will not be having Eric Albarracin in his corner for his upcoming fight with Merab Dvalishvili.

Cejudo is taking his bout with Merab quite seriously, to the point where he’s even said he’d likely retire if he can’t beat the Georgian fighter. “Triple C” returned to the sport of MMA last year and was met with disappointment when he was bested by then-UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling via split decision. That loss was enough for Cejudo to make one significant change to his training camp.

There will be no Eric Albarracin this time.

RELATED: HENRY CEJUDO TEASES RETURN TO RETIREMENT WITH UFC 298 LOSS: “THIS SPORT IS HARD, MAN”

Henry Cejudo Splits From Eric Albarracin

Cejudo was recently filmed breaking the surprising news to Albarracin (h/t MMAMania.com).

“You were with me from my last Olympic trials, you’ve been there for me,” Cejudo tells an emotional Albarracin. “But 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, dude.”

The former two-division UFC champion went on to say that it’s time he got out of his comfort zone.

“Sometimes you are too close to somebody and people just get too comfortable,” Cejudo explained to the Countdown crew later.

Eric had the following to say to Cejudo in response:

“The goal has always been the same,” Albarracin said. “For you to be the greatest combat sports athlete of all time. And to me, that was a dream come true.”

Cejudo then praised Albarracin for being selfless even during this emotional moment.

“This is why this man is the GOAT coach,” Cejudo said, slapping a teary Albarracin on the shoulder. “The most unselfish human that you will ever meet. Captain Eric Albarracin.”

Cejudo vs. Dvalishvili will take place on the main card of UFC 298 on February 17.