UFC champion Henry Cejudo announces RETIREMENT in front of empty stadium moments after second-round win over Dominick Cruz at UFC 249
- UFC star Henry Cejudo has called time on his mixed martial arts career
- The flyweight and bantamweight champion beat Dominick Cruz at UFC 249
- In the post-fight interview, the former Olympic champion revealed his decision
- A host of UFC stars have congratulated the 33-year-old for a great career
UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo has announced his shock retirement following his win over Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 in front of a near-empty stadium.
The former wrestler, who won Olympic Gold at the 2008 Beijing Games, has single-handedly saved the flyweight division from being scrapped and gone on to win and defend both belts at 125lbs and 135lbs.
On Saturday, the 33-year-old finished former champion Cruz via technical knock out at four minutes, 58 seconds of round two at UFC 249 at Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
UFC flyweight and bantamweight king Henry Cejudo has announced his decision to retire
The 33-year-old stopped former champion Dominick Cruz to defend the 135lbs belt at UFC 249
And during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Cejudo shocked the mixed martial arts world by announcing that he was calling time on his career in front of a near-empty arena.
‘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.’
After his victory, Cejudo said that he is calling time on his impressive mixed martial arts career
UFC president Dana White said he was not surprised by the decision of the Olympic champion
A host of UFC stars took to Twitter to wish the bantamweight and flyweight king a happy retirement.
Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov wrote: ‘Legendary @HenryCejudo my congratulations. You are the beast.’
Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman said: ‘How can you not love that man and what he’s done. Congratulations @HenryCejudo what a career’.
A host of UFC stars including Khabib Nurmagomedov wished Cejudo well on social media
Former wrestler and UFC fighter Ben Askren said: ‘Congrats on a great career @HenryCejudo!!! One of the greatest combat athletes of all time.’
Meanwhile, UFC president Dana White has said he wasn’t surprised by Cejudo’s decision to retire.
‘It really didn’t shock me,’ White said. ‘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.’