Henry Cejudo’s Legacy

The sun has set on Henry Cejudo’s UFC career, as we look at his legacy. 

The former two-division UFC champion and Olympic Gold medalist is hanging up his gloves following a unanimous decision loss to Payton Talbott at UFC 323. This defeat marked the fourth setback since he returned from retirement in 2020. His place in history is already cemented —an Olympic Gold medalist in wrestling who went on to capture championships in two different UFC weight classes (flyweight and bantamweight). This achievement places Cejudo in an exclusive club of male fighters, joining iconic names such as Randy Couture, Conor McGregor, Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, and Daniel Cormier, among others, to hold belts in multiple divisions.

Cejudo Reacts

“Well that’s not exactly how I envisioned the fight playing out – but it wasn’t the worst ending either. The streets are saying I went out in a blaze of glory and after those last 10 seconds I’d have to agree. I gave it everything I had. Thank you UFC for giving me this life and the ability to extend my athletic career beyond wrestling.

“I can confidently say I accomplished everything I set out to when I stepped into the octagon in those gold shorts all those years ago. Thank you to my team. Coaches, teammates, management, and most of all my family. You are the reason I was able to go out there and give this game my very best. I never did it for a paycheck – I did it for you,” Cejudo said

Cejudo’s Legacy

After a shaky start in the Octagon, Cejudo’s big moment came at UFC 227 where he dethroned the long-reigning Flyweight champ Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. This victory was a defining moment, establishing him as the division’s new king. He then cemented his place by moving up a weight class to knockout Marlon Moraes and capture the vacant Bantamweight title, making him a rare two-division champion.

Following his bantamweight title win, Cejudo announced a retirement in 2020 at the peak of his powers, citing a desire to maximize his value. By walking away as a double champion, he forced the UFC to recognize his market value upon his eventual return. When he came back from retirement in 2023, he did so on better financial terms, illustrating that he was able to dictate things on his terms.