Henry Cejudo leaves on his own terms following UFC 249 victory
Henry Cejudo goes out on top
If Henry Cejudo’s finish of Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 came as no surprise, what took place after may have.
The 33-year-old told UFC commentator Joe Rogan during the post-fight interview he is retiring as champion inside an empty VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
“I’m happy with my career,” Henry Cejudo said to Rogan. “I’ve done enough in the sport. I want to walk away.”
The unsuspected news came after Cejudo dropped Cruz with a head kick in the second round. The champion followed up with ruthless right hands until referee Keith Peterson stepped in.
Cejudo leaves the octagon on a six-fight win streak. He goes down in history as one of only four fighters to hold two titles simultaneously.
He knocked off the long-time flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson by split decision at UFC 227 in August 2018. Cejudo first defended the title by finishing T.J. Dillashaw at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in January 2019.
A former Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling, Cejudo became a double champion by defeating Marlon Moraes via third-round TKO at UFC 238 in June 2019.
Cejudo is leaving on his own terms. After seven years as a professional fighter, Cejudo made a solid argument for being one of the best to do it.
“I’m 33 years old. I’m happy with my career. Again, Uncle Dana [White], I want to say thank you. You’re the man. … Triple C’s out,” Cejudo said. “You don’t have to hear my ass no more.”
