PHOENIX – After three straight failed attempts to make flyweight, Henry Cejudo was kicked up to bantamweight by his new bosses.

But after a Saturday win at 135 pounds in his UFC debut, Cejudo wants to head back to flyweight – and he has the blessing of Dana White.

Cejudo, the third Olympic gold medalist to compete in the UFC, was supposed to make his promotional debut in August – at flyweight. Before signing with the UFC, Cejudo twice missed weight in bouts for Legacy FC.

For a scheduled fight against Scott Jorgensen at UFC 177, Cejudo fell ill the day of the weigh-ins. The fight was called off, and White said if Cejudo was going to stay in the UFC, it would have to be at bantamweight.

So that’s where Cejudo (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) fought at on Saturday, beating up Dustin Kimura (11-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) for a unanimous decision on the prelims of UFC on FOX 13 at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, where Cejudo is based.

Afterward, he made his pitch directly to White at the post-event news conference.

“I’ve competed at the Olympics at 121 pounds,” he said. “I feel real strong, even at 135. (But) I feel like I could be a huge force and change the whole weight class at 125. Bring ’em. So Dana, I hope you can allow me – I can give you guys a practice cut. I know if Daniel Cormier can make 205 (after fighting at heavyweight), I can definitely make 125 pounds.”

White appeared to be in the mood to let bygones be bygones with Cejudo’s August situation, and said if he says he can make it to 125 next time, more power to him.

“Absolutely. I trust you, man,” White said to Cejudo. “You’re the professional. You say you’re going to come in at a weight, and it’s your job to make that weight. You can do it. I’m in.”

A Cejudo return to 125 pounds might be what the UFC needs in the flyweight division, a weight class that is considered to be one of the UFC’s weakest in terms of contenders whom champion Demetrious Johnson hasn’t already beaten.

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 13, check out the UFC Events section of the site.