Bold claim: Henry Cejudo just dropped a career-altering update, and it turns the UFC 323 narrative on its head. In the days leading up to his Las Vegas showdown with Payton Talbott, the former double-champion revealed that this fight may mark the end of his UFC journey. The news surprised many who anticipated a return to title contention, but Cejudo asserted that he’s ready to shift gears and focus more on family life at 37.
Cejudo, renowned for conquering flyweight and bantamweight divisions and for Olympic wrestling glory, spoke to reporters at a Las Vegas media scrum. He stated flatly, “This is it for me guys. This is it for me unless Dana White gives me a big fight with another Mexican fighter. Other than that I think I have done everything at the highest level since I was 11 years old.” He reflected on the grind—the years of training, the weight cuts—and expressed a sense of fulfillment, coupled with a desire to be present for his children: “There is a lot of satisfaction in my life. I am ready to move on too. I have a couple of kids who want to play with their dad 24/7.”
This revelation added an emotional layer to what would ordinarily be a high-stakes clash against Talbott. The event has fans and peers buzzing, including former rival Dominick Cruz, who offered his perspective on how Cejudo might navigate the fight. In a recent MMA Junkie interview, Cruz suggested that Cejudo’s best path to victory would be to lean on wrestling. He acknowledged Talbott’s threat and explained that blending wrestling the way Merab Dvalishvili does could yield strong results for Cejudo. At the same time, Cruz warned that prolonged standing with Talbott could pose risks; if Cejudo stays on the feet too long, Talbott could pose problems. Still, Cruz was confident that Cejudo could outwrestle Talbott for three rounds when necessary.
As UFC 323 approaches, Cejudo’s singular objective is to finish his career on his own terms, while Talbott fights to halt the retirement narrative and cap off his own momentum in the cage.
Would you agree that Cejudo’s strongest play is a wrestling-first strategy to close out his UFC chapter, or do you think there’s a legitimate path for him to surprise with a striking-heavy game plan? Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us whether this retirement announcement changes how you view the bout.
