Henry Cejudo steps into UFC 323 on Saturday night not just chasing another victory, but closing the book on one of the most decorated careers in combat sports history.
The former Olympic gold medalist and two-division UFC champion will make his final walk to the Octagon against rising bantamweight Payton Talbott, aiming to leave the sport the same way he entered it, defying expectations and demanding respect.
The combat sports legend reflected on the meaning of this fight week for his career, choosing to look beyond the matchup itself and focus instead on the journey, everything it takes to reach the octagon, and the people who have supported and worked alongside him throughout it. Even MMA media.
“I guess it’s more of what I talked about yesterday, just more of that gratitude. More of the people that fly out. Even you guys (the media) even the fact that you guys take time out of your busy schedule. A lot of you guys are probably fathers, mothers maybe, or whatever that may be,” Cejudo told reporters on Wednesday.
“Just the time that you guys give back to the sport. It means a lot. Knowing that your coaches leave for a week at a time to go watch you perform. Training partners from different parts of the world. I think it’s more of that. I appreciate it, whether you guys take whatever I say and spin it or do whatever, I appreciate all of them.”
As he prepares to walk away from competition for the final time, Cejudo has spent fight week reflecting not on the opponent in front of him, but on the evolution of the man behind the accolades. The Olympic gold medalist and two-division UFC champion says retirement has given him clarity on who he truly is beyond the titles.
“What I’ve learned about me is I’m an ultimate competitor, but even more so than a competitor, I like to conquer. I’m a conqueror. I’m able to just move on. I did that with wrestling, never really missed it, even though it was my first love. Then I did it with combat sports, and I knew that once I defended that second belt I was like, “alright man, it’s time for me to leave on top,” he said.
“That’s what I’ve learned about me. I can move on.”
Cejudo also took pride in investing in the next generation, especially Talbott, someone he believes can carry pieces of the persona and competitive fire he crafted over the years. Their brief time training together left an imprint on the veteran, shaping how he views the changing of an era. Talbott admitted he was disappointed to see Cejudo’s previous bout against Song Yadong end the way it did, but now finds himself in the uncomfortable position of standing between the legend and the farewell win many hoped he’d get.
“I had Payton come out, which says a lot about him, like he came out to legit learn from me for a few days. We had a chance to kind of like talk about techniques, watched video, talk about the theatrics. I always told Payton, ‘I want you to take over the King of Cringe.’ You got the hair, you got that dot on your front and back, just go straight NWA,” he said.
“The fact that the fight ended the way it ended I had even contemplated just calling it quits, but I didn’t want to end it like that. I want to end it with a fair shake. First off having an even playfield, and just fighting.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Henry Cejudo above. He faces Payton Talbott at UFC 323 on Saturday night.
