Henry Cejudo
The Messenger
USA
Ends HOF career with defeat
Cejudo lost to Payton Talbott via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC 322 on Saturday in Las Vegas. He officially retired following the bout.
ANALYSIS
Set to turn 39 years of age in February and going up against one of the better young prospects in the sport, this was a tough ask for Cejudo. It didn't go well. Talbott was just too fast and too athletic for "Triple C" to reasonably compete this evening. Ultimately, the result in this one particular fight is irrelevant. A former Olympic gold medalist, Henry made his UFC debut in December 2014. He went on to win titles in two divisions (flyweight, bantamweight) and picked up victories over the likes of Demetrious Johnson, TJ Dillashaw, Marlon Moraes and Dominick Cruz. One of the best to ever do it, Cejudo's next stop will be the UFC Hall of Fame.
Set to turn 39 years of age in February and going up against one of the better young prospects in the sport, this was a tough ask for Cejudo. It didn't go well. Talbott was just too fast and too athletic for "Triple C" to reasonably compete this evening. Ultimately, the result in this one particular fight is irrelevant. A former Olympic gold medalist, Henry made his UFC debut in December 2014. He went on to win titles in two divisions (flyweight, bantamweight) and picked up victories over the likes of Demetrious Johnson, TJ Dillashaw, Marlon Moraes and Dominick Cruz. One of the best to ever do it, Cejudo's next stop will be the UFC Hall of Fame.
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Next fight scheduled
Cejudo will fight Payton Talbott at UFC 323 on Dec. 6, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Cejudo will look to snap a three-match loss streak, taking on Talbott at UFC 323. The 38-year-old lost his most recent bout to Yadong Song under precarious terms, ending the fight after Round 3 due to an eye poke he sustained, which caused him to not be able to see. He'll face Talbott, who's 4-1 in the UFC.
Cejudo will look to snap a three-match loss streak, taking on Talbott at UFC 323. The 38-year-old lost his most recent bout to Yadong Song under precarious terms, ending the fight after Round 3 due to an eye poke he sustained, which caused him to not be able to see. He'll face Talbott, who's 4-1 in the UFC.
Foul leads to early defeat
Cejudo lost to Yadong Song via technical unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 27-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Seattle.
ANALYSIS
You'll notice the above scorecards are reflective of a three-round fight. Yes, this was five-round main event. It also ended after 15 minutes because Cejudo said he couldn't see after absorbing a deep eye poke from Song. The foul actually occurred late in Round 3. Henry took the entire five minutes, which no one ever does, and continued, only to adamantly say he couldn't see in between rounds. It was a strange set of circumstances, with referee Jason Herzog adamant about what was taking place but everyone else seemingly baffled. Henry looked lousy prior to the stoppage, losing most of the striking exchanges and failing on all three of his takedown attempts. Maybe we'll be looking at a rematch, though that's not something UFC President Dana White appeared to be interested in after the show.
You'll notice the above scorecards are reflective of a three-round fight. Yes, this was five-round main event. It also ended after 15 minutes because Cejudo said he couldn't see after absorbing a deep eye poke from Song. The foul actually occurred late in Round 3. Henry took the entire five minutes, which no one ever does, and continued, only to adamantly say he couldn't see in between rounds. It was a strange set of circumstances, with referee Jason Herzog adamant about what was taking place but everyone else seemingly baffled. Henry looked lousy prior to the stoppage, losing most of the striking exchanges and failing on all three of his takedown attempts. Maybe we'll be looking at a rematch, though that's not something UFC President Dana White appeared to be interested in after the show.
Set to return in Seattle
Cejudo will take on Yadong Song in a bantamweight matchup in the main event of UFC Seattle on Feb. 22, Mike Coppinger of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Despite losing in his last two fights, Cejudo noted in February of 2024 that retirement wasn't on his radar. While he didn't take a fight the rest of the year, he'll now take on a dangerous opponent who has six post-fight bonuses on his resume. Song is also coming off a defeat, however, losing a unanimous decision to Petr Yan in March. It's no secret that Cejudo will look to lean on the takedown, and Song defends takedowns at a mediocre 72 percent clip. Song will also hold advantages of four inches in height and three inches in reach.
Despite losing in his last two fights, Cejudo noted in February of 2024 that retirement wasn't on his radar. While he didn't take a fight the rest of the year, he'll now take on a dangerous opponent who has six post-fight bonuses on his resume. Song is also coming off a defeat, however, losing a unanimous decision to Petr Yan in March. It's no secret that Cejudo will look to lean on the takedown, and Song defends takedowns at a mediocre 72 percent clip. Song will also hold advantages of four inches in height and three inches in reach.
Not retiring any time soon
Cejudo is not going to retire after losing to Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision at UFC 298 on Feb. 17 in Anaheim. "For that reason, I cannot go out like that. So I'm here today ladies and gentlemen, taking my word back as a man, confronting you guys, you the people, you my fans, you my family, you my friends, you the haters, that I just cannot go out like this. Guys, to say the least, it is far from over with the 'Triple C'," he said in a video via his YouTube channel.
ANALYSIS
Cejudo had previously stated that he would retire if he lost to Dvalishvili, but he's not sticking to those words. This is not the first time Cejudo has decided against retirement, though. He retired inside the octagon after defeating Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 in 2020, only to return to action in 2023. The 37-year-old veteran has lost two fights in a row but is expected to step back on the octagon sooner than later.
Cejudo had previously stated that he would retire if he lost to Dvalishvili, but he's not sticking to those words. This is not the first time Cejudo has decided against retirement, though. He retired inside the octagon after defeating Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 in 2020, only to return to action in 2023. The 37-year-old veteran has lost two fights in a row but is expected to step back on the octagon sooner than later.
Latest victim of Dvalishvili
Cejudo lost to Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC 298 on Saturday in Anaheim.
ANALYSIS
Cejudo was effective for about a round. After that, like virtually all who came before him, he wilted under the pressure of Dvalishvili. Henry landed the biggest strike of the fight in the opening frame. He also limited to Merab to just 13 seconds worth of control time in Round 1. Yet, at age 37, his gas tank quickly evaporated, and Dvalishvili cruised over the course of the final ten minutes. It likely would have been even worse for Henry had he not gotten away with multiple fence grabs that were seemingly ignored by inexperienced referee Jonathan Romero. Cejudo said repeatedly heading into this fight that he would retire (again) if he lost. It's far more likely than not at this point that Merab is the best bantamweight in the world, so perhaps Cejudo should reconsider his position. Either way, it seems likely we'll get some sort of clarity from "Triple C" sooner rather than later.
Cejudo was effective for about a round. After that, like virtually all who came before him, he wilted under the pressure of Dvalishvili. Henry landed the biggest strike of the fight in the opening frame. He also limited to Merab to just 13 seconds worth of control time in Round 1. Yet, at age 37, his gas tank quickly evaporated, and Dvalishvili cruised over the course of the final ten minutes. It likely would have been even worse for Henry had he not gotten away with multiple fence grabs that were seemingly ignored by inexperienced referee Jonathan Romero. Cejudo said repeatedly heading into this fight that he would retire (again) if he lost. It's far more likely than not at this point that Merab is the best bantamweight in the world, so perhaps Cejudo should reconsider his position. Either way, it seems likely we'll get some sort of clarity from "Triple C" sooner rather than later.