Cejudo Considers Career Future After UFC Seattle Injury

Henry Cejudo, a former two-division UFC champion, is facing the possibility of ending his fighting career.

In his recent main event fight at UFC Seattle against Song Yadong in February, Cejudo suffered a severe eye poke. This incident led to an early and controversial end to the fight, with Cejudo losing by technical decision. Since then, Cejudo has expressed concerns about the lasting damage to his eye and dissatisfaction with how the referee handled the situation.

During an interview, the 38-year-old Cejudo mentioned that this persistent injury could force him into another retirement if his condition doesn`t improve.

“I never thought of mixed martial arts as particularly dangerous,” Cejudo admitted. “I`ve been talking with my wife, and I believe this might have been my final fight. Maybe one more and that’s it. If I could have a rematch with Song, I would be happy with that. But if not Song, then I’d like to face anyone the UFC is willing to offer.”

He further elaborated, “I want to be able to play with my children. I don’t want to risk losing my eyesight. That`s honestly how I feel right now.”

Cejudo initially retired in 2020 after successfully defending his bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249. This victory followed a successful reign as flyweight champion, making Cejudo unique as the only combat sports athlete to have won both an Olympic gold medal in wrestling and UFC championships in two weight classes.

He made a comeback in May 2023, challenging Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title at UFC 288, but lost by decision in a close fight. Currently, Cejudo`s record in his second UFC stint is 0-3.

Now, he is contemplating retiring from fighting once again.

“I might sound like I’m complaining, but this is the most serious injury I’ve ever had,” Cejudo told reporters. “I sought a second medical opinion. Actually, I consulted one of Sean O’Malley’s doctors, who initially said my eye would recover in a month. However, even now, when I watch TV or look downwards, I still experience double vision. It`s been a month since a minor poke caused this, and I’m still not fully recovered. The doctor now estimates another month for recovery. Korean Zombie had similar symptoms, which led to his retirement. I’m seeing double. In certain eye positions, I see two of everything.”

“Fortunately, the double vision only occurs when I lie down or look down. But initially, it took five days for my double vision to subside after the injury. It wasn`t that I couldn`t see, but I was seeing double, making it difficult to judge distances and movements.”

“I feel cheated,” Cejudo added. “I wanted to fight. I just wanted to fight with two functioning eyes.”

Cejudo is eager to fight once more, if his eye allows, hoping for a proper farewell fight. However, his ability to compete depends on his eye`s condition, leaving a possibility that UFC Seattle may have been the final chapter of his celebrated career.

“I’m okay with losing, but I don’t want to end my career because of an eye injury,” Cejudo stated. “It just can’t end this way. I am grateful. I appreciate Dana [White] and everyone at the UFC. They’ve provided me with a platform to support my family and secure my future. But my health is my top priority.”

“I’m unsure of the UFC`s plans,” Cejudo concluded. “I definitely want to fight sometime this fall, giving my eye time to heal, which doctors say will take another 30 days. But if it doesn`t improve, I don`t know when I’ll be able to return. I think this could be my last one, and that’s it.”