Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Henry Cejudo (red gloves) sits down after being poked in the eye by Song Yadong (blue gloves) in the bantamweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

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Henry Cejudo Ready To Put The Gloves Down For The Final Time!

Former champion Henry Cejudo plans on ending his career on his own terms !

Henry Cejudo, the Olympic gold medalist turned UFC double champion, has once again announced his intention to step away from the octagon. Cejudo has had a remarkable combat sports journey spanning wrestling and mixed martial arts. His career has been defined by historic achievements and an unwavering commitment to excellence that few fighters can match.

From his early days as an Olympic wrestler to becoming only the fourth UFC fighter to hold championships in two divisions simultaneously, Cejudo has consistently defied expectations. ‘Triple C’ has built a legacy that will be remembered long after his fighting days are over. Now, it appears those days are numbered as the combat sports world prepares to bid farewell to one of its most accomplished athletes.

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One More Fight Before Walking Away

In a recent statement that has stirred the MMA community, Cejudo declared his next fight will be his final appearance in the octagon. While talking to Helen Yee, Cejudo revealed that after one more fight, he will hang up the gloves for good.

“This is my last one. I want to leave this sport unscathed. The first time at the age of 33 I did it right, retired young… I got one more in me, make some money then that’s it. I’m out.”

Henry Cejudo says his next fight will be his retirement fight:

"This is my last one. I want to leave this sport unscathed. The first time at the age of 33 I did it right, retired young… I got one more in me, make some money then that's it. I'm out."

(via. @HelenYeeSports)… pic.twitter.com/ChPDwHzsYX
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 5, 2025

Cejudo’s words echo the sentiment of a fighter who understands the physical toll of the sport and the importance of walking away with his health intact. ‘Triple C’ pointed to his previous retirement at age 33 as proof of his commitment to preserving his wellbeing. This practical approach to his career finale suggests he has balanced his competitive drive with long-term personal considerations.

When Did Cejudo Last Retire?

This isn’t the first time Henry Cejudo has announced his retirement. After defeating Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 in May 2020, Cejudo shocked fans by laying down his gloves in the octagon. This is the traditional symbol of a fighter’s retirement. That announcement came at the peak of his career, having just successfully defended his bantamweight title.

His first retirement lasted nearly three years. He then returned to challenge Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight championship at UFC 288 in May 2023. That comeback fight resulted in a narrow split decision loss, with most judges scoring the bout for Sterling. Since then, Cejudo has remained active but faced setbacks with consecutive losses to Merab Dvalishvili and most recently Song Yadong in February 2025.

For a fighter with Olympic gold, two UFC championships, and victories over legends like Demetrious Johnson and Dominick Cruz, ‘Triple C’ has nothing left to prove. His place in combat sports history is secure. If this truly is the end, fans will remember not just the championships and accolades, but also the entertaining personality and remarkable skill set of one of MMA’s most unique competitors!

(Image Credit: Steven Bisig – Imagn Images)

Henry Cejudo

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!