Henry Cejudo has decided to hang up his gloves after successfully defending the bantamwweight championship on Saturday.
Returning from an 11-month hiatus, the Olympic gold medalist locked horns with Dominick Cruz in the co-main event of the revamped UFC 249 fight card in Jacksonville, Florida.
It was hist first official title-retention attempt since winning the vacant 135-pound strap in June 2019, when he became the fourth fighter in the UFC to hold two belts simultaneously.
Showing no signs of rust, ‘Triple C’ made quick work of the former bantamweight champion as he stopped the challenger in the second round, following a brutal knee and flurry of punches.
Flyweight title defended ✅
Bantamweight title defended ✅DON'T. DOUBT. @HenryCejudo! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/dS4HhehUFZ
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
Happy
In the post-fight interview inside the Octagon, Cejudo shocked the MMA world when he announced he is retiring from the sport.
“I’m happy with my career,” he said.
“I’ve done enough in the sport. I want to walk away and enjoy myself. I’m 33 years old. I have a girl now, watching me from back home.”
“Since I was 11, I’ve sacrificed my life to get to where I was tonight. I’m retiring tonight. Uncle Dana [UFC president Dana White], thank you. Everybody here, thank you so much.”
Cejudo retired from MMA while he is on top of the world, capping off his career with a six-fight winning streak while being the second fighter to successfully defend two UFC belts.
The former two-weight champion captured the flyweight title in August 2018 after a massive split decision win against the greatest 125-pounder of all-time in Demetrious Johnson to save the UFC flyweight division from its demise.
Months later, he defended the flyweight title against TJ Dillashaw but he needed to vacated the throne in December 2019 due to inactivity.
Watch Cejudo announcing his retirement in the video below:
“Triple C’s out. You guys don’t have to hear my ass no more.”
Henry Cejudo announces he’s retiring after defending the belt. #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/I2aCWgjlEY
— ESPN (@espn) May 10, 2020
Not Shocked
UFC president Dana White said he wasn’t surprised with Cejudo’s decision, saying “It really didn’t shock me. Cejudo has been talking about retirement to us for months. I’m of the belief that if you’re talking about retirement in the fight business, you should probably retire.”
Meanwhile, Cejudo’s coach Eric Albaraccin said in an interview with ESPN: “I only think he’s getting better. It’s a somber moment, when someone retires in his prime.”
“I understand it, though. We’ve been on a hell of a run. I’ve been with him since 2004. He’s gotten it done — every goal we’ve ever set, he’s accomplished. He’s beaten every legend they set in front of him.”
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(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Henry Cejudo)