Henry Cejudo shocked the combat sports world Saturday night.
The UFC bantamweight champion not only became the first man to stop Dominick Cruz with strikes, but he also announced his retirement after the win at UFC 249. Cejudo (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) stopped Cruz in the second round of their co-main event bout at UFC 249, which took place at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
The decision to announce his retirement surprised many. Cejudo is arguably in the prime of his career, having recently become a two-division champion in the UFC.
“I talked to my mentor Dave Zowine, especially after my shoulder surgery (and) I had that time off, and man, I love freedom,” Cejudo told reporters at the post-fight press conference. “This is why you see me at a lot of UFC events. I enjoy this stuff.
“Since I was 11 years old, I probably have 600 competitions of wrestling matches in my life. That’s all I’ve ever done. I don’t have kids. I’ve finally got a girl now, and I want to step into that new chapter of my life. I’ve been extremely selfish and rightfully so to obtain what I’ve obtained – can I say it again? Olympic champ, (UFC) flyweight champ, (UFC) bantamweight champ, and I defended both world titles. And man, I want to leave on top. I did it in wrestling and I want to do it now in the sport of mixed martial arts. I just don’t see myself coming back and I want to remain king forever.”
Cejudo, 33, won the UFC flyweight title in 2018 when he dethroned Demetrious Johnson via split decision. He considers that to be the biggest highlight of his UFC career given the fact that many consider Johnson to be the greatest fighter of all time.
When asked if the announcement to retie was a negotiation plot to get more a higher monetary offer from the UFC, Cejudo didn’t discard the idea of a potential return if there was a high offer.
However, he did say that the decision rests more on starting a family since he’s been competing in combat sports since he was a child. He says a potential return to the UFC is unlikely.
“(White) knows the number,” Cejudo said. “But let all these bantamweights kill each other. Let them have fun, they’re complaining that I’m picking fights and all you have to do is look at my resume. They can say whatever they want, but I’ve done everything. I’ve done everything, and man, I do feel like I should be part of Mount Rushmore when it comes to combat sports.
“In combat sport I do feel I’m the greatest with all that I have accomplished. In wrestling, I wasn’t the greatest, yeah Olympic champ, but I wasn’t the greatest wrestler of al time. I’m not the greatest fighter of all time, but when you mix my resume and what I’ve done, I do believe I’m on top of that mountain. I do sincerely believe that I’m the greatest combat athlete of all time and I do want to leave on top.”
Henry Cejudo explains decision to retire after UFC 249 win: 'I want to leave on top'
