Former Double Champion Confirms UFC 323 Will Be His Final Fight
Henry Cejudo has officially announced that his bout at UFC 323 will mark the end of his MMA career, bringing a close to one of the most accomplished runs in the sport’s history. Speaking emotionally, he made it clear that life outside the cage has become the priority, saying he wants to spend more time with his children. The moment signals the final chapter of a fighter who once ruled two UFC divisions at the same time.
Cejudo enters UFC 323 on the back of a difficult spell. Since returning from his first retirement in 2023, he has gone winless, dropping fights to Aljamain Sterling, Merab Dvalishvili and most recently suffering a technical-decision loss to Song Yadong after an accidental eye poke ended their contest early. It is a stark contrast to the dominant athlete who held both the flyweight and bantamweight titles, but it also reflects how tough the sport is after years away from competition.
His final opponent will be rising bantamweight contender Payton Talbott, a young talent building momentum and entering the biggest opportunity of his career. The matchup creates a compelling dynamic: a legend closing the book on his journey against a fighter looking to carve out his own legacy. Talbott has spoken openly in the past about the advice Cejudo once gave him during his early days, adding an unexpected thread to the story of their meeting.
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What Led Cejudo to This Point
Cejudo’s decision comes after he openly admitted that the three-year layoff before his 2023 comeback changed how his body responds to the pressures of high-level fighting. He noted that the recovery, cardio rhythm and sharpness that once separated him from the rest of the division were harder to regain. At 37 years old, with a long combat sports career behind him, the physical demands simply became too heavy to balance with family life.
Despite the recent losing streak, his legacy remains intact. Before retiring in 2020, he defeated Dominick Cruz, T.J. Dillashaw and Demetrious Johnson, cementing himself as one of the best fighters of his era. His achievements stretch beyond MMA, with Olympic gold in wrestling forming a foundation that few athletes can match.
UFC 323 will not just be another fight for Cejudo; it will be a symbolic farewell. A final walk to the Octagon. A final chance to compete. And a final moment of closure for a competitor who spent his entire career chasing greatness.
Whether he leaves with a win or a loss, Henry Cejudo’s impact on the sport is already written. UFC 323 will simply provide the last page.
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