Henry Cejudo’s In-Cage Conversation With Dana White After Retirement Fight

Henry Cejudo held nothing back against Payton Talbott after announcing that UFC 232 would be the final time he stepped in the Octagon, but it wasn’t enough for the MMA legend.

Cejudo is a former Olympic gold medallist and championship-winning MMA fighter. He won gold in freestyle wrestling for the United States at the 2008 Olympics when he was just 21, making him one of the youngest US wrestling champions in Olympic history.

Beyond wrestling, he transitioned to MMA and became one of the few athletes to claim world titles in both an Olympic sport and a major MMA promotion.

Henry Cejudo’s Retirement Fight

Cejudo left his legacy on the canvas in a fiery back-and-forth between the two during his retirement fight.

Both fighters put on a Fight of the Year performance, going blow for blow. However, in the end, Talbott walked away with his hand in the air with all three judges scoring the contest 30-27 in his favour, awarding the 27-year-old a unanimous decision win.

Leaving the fight with his head held high, Cejudo had a funny but heartwarming interaction with Dana White, who ended up gifting the fighter $50,000 at the end of it.

Dana White Gives Henry Cejudo $50k For Retirement Fight

“It’s time, that just showed it,” said Cejudo on his hands and knees as he spoke to the UFC CEO, who replied: “You showed a tonne of heart.”

Cejudo then hinted at a 50k fight bonus. White never usually gives out bonuses until an event’s post-fight press conference, but he was feeling generous in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

“F*** it, I’ll give you $50,000 anyway,” White responded.

UFC’s Tribute to Henry Cejudo

In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, his best moments played on the big screen after he immediately confirmed his retirement once and for all.

Cejudo said in his post-fight interview: “I’d like to give a big thank you to Uncle Dana, thank you for this opportunity. You guys have changed so many lives. I do agree with Dana, the UFC and mixed martial arts will be the biggest sport in the world.”

It is difficult to see Cejudo making a return to the UFC again, but he will be remembered for some of the best moments in the sport, and have his name engraved in MMA history.