Former two-division UFC champion, Henry Cejudo, has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts following his next fight. The news was first revealed to President Donald Trump during an emotional meeting.
Cejudo, who previously retired in 2020 after defending his bantamweight title, returned to the UFC in 2023. Despite a decorated career that includes dethroning Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title and an Olympic gold medal in wrestling, his recent comeback has been challenging.
During a meeting at the NCAA Wrestling Championships, Cejudo informed President Trump, a known fan and supporter, of his decision to retire after one more fight. This announcement comes after a controversial fight with Song Yadong in Seattle, where an eye poke caused a severe injury scare for Cejudo.
Cejudo expressed concern about his eyesight after the Song Yadong fight, revealing he suffered diplopia, soft tissue damage, and a corneal abrasion. Doctors warned him that the eye poke could have resulted in blindness in one eye.
Despite joking about the injury in a post-fight interview, the incident has clearly influenced Cejudo`s decision to step away from the octagon. He was also presented with a commemorative coin by President Trump during their meeting.
Benedict Kingsley