LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 04: (L-R) Henry Cejudo punches Demetrious Johnson in their UFC flyweight championship fight during the UFC 227 event inside Staples Center on August 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

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UFC flyweight champ Henry Cejudo looking to be called the ‘GOAT Killer’ after he defeats TJ Dillashaw at UFC Brooklyn.

UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo prides himself on his ability to overcome adversity. The mental and physical trials he’s faced, both as an Olympic gold medalist and UFC titleholder, he says have molded him into something to behold.

He’s not shy about expressing his beliefs on the subject.

“It’s turned me into a world champ,” Cejudo tells FanSided of the challenges he’s endured. “[I’m] the greatest combat athlete of all time. The true champ-champ.”

It’s this kind of confidence that carries the 125-pound king into his first title defense, a headlining bout against bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw at UFC Brooklyn on Jan. 26. Cejudo’s preparation, he says, includes careful studying of his upcoming opponent’s previous fights. This is in addition to the physical training of a championship fight camp.

Dillashaw’s footwork has largely considered been one of his best assets. For Cejudo, however, it’s shown him that his pending foe has habits that, if timed precisely, will mean the challenger’s downfall.

“[I’ve] studied him well during training camp,” he says. “There are patterns to him, and I’m looking forward to exposing all those patterns he has.”

Still, Dillashaw is recognized as one of the best fighters in the world. His reputation has been built on wins over quality opponents on the way to being a two-time bantamweight champion. Some might say he’s on his way to all-time great status. Cejudo is one to make such a proclamation.

The flyweight champ feels like a win over someone the caliber of Dillashaw, “another GOAT,” will grant him a whole new nickname en route to establishing himself in the greatest-of-all-time discussion.

“After this, I’m going to change my name to ‘The GOAT Killer’ because that’s what I do,” he explains. “I kill all the GOATs before I become the GOAT.”

He adds that accomplishing this feat on ESPN+, the sports network’s new streaming platform, is an honor. Despite the move of the card a week in advance, as well as it being taken off pay-per-view, it’s still an exciting event for Cejudo. It’s a move in the right direction, exposure-wise, because he believes PPV will soon be a thing of the past while streaming services continue to gain momentum in the entertainment realm. Besides, moving the card up a week means a longer vacation after a win.

“I’m planning on going to Carnival after this,” he says, enthusiastically. “I love the opportunity the UFC is giving us to headline the first ESPN card ever. I think both of our names, whether we like each other or not, will always be part of this ESPN legacy.

“It’s a dream come true. I think everybody grew up watching ESPN. Look at how far this company has come because of the people that have surrounded it, that made it great. … I’m going to be part of the inaugural ESPN card, not just an ESPN card but the inaugural. I think that’s a big deal. Since I was a kid I’ve been breaking records and proving people wrong. I think me fighting on ESPN is going to expose the Cejudo story, and people are going to know who the true champion is on Saturday night.”

Without question, a win this weekend will prove to be another bit of adversity Cejudo conquers. His preparation has given him the confidence to go into this bout with a clear vision of the outcome — a knockout, carefully timed as a result of tedious studying.

Cejudo says he’s coming into this fight shredded while feeling both physically and mentally good. If those areas are as fine-tuned as he says they are, his confidence is just the icing on the cake for a game planner who wants to look good doing what he does.

“[I’m] feeling good, looking good and ready to knock somebody the hell out,” he says.

UFC Brooklyn takes place on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Follow along with FanSided throughout the night for all your live results and highlights. We’ll in attendance for the first card of 2019, so watch for exclusive content during fight night.