\u2014 UFC (@ufc) December 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n “Payton is the future, man,” Cejudo said. “I was saying to him after the fight, ‘Come over and let’s keep training.’ I want to keep mentoring him. But f—, this is the end [for me].”<\/p>\n UFC CEO Dana White quickly reacted to Cejudo’s retirement in a now-viral video showing the pair interacting with one another before the judges rendered a decision.<\/p>\n Dana White says he will give Henry Cejudo $50Kpic.twitter.com\/ev7drNmt1j<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jed I. Goodman \u00a9 (@jedigoodman) December 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n “It’s time. That just showed it,” Cejudo said. “That just showed it.”<\/p>\n White gave Cejudo his flowers.<\/p>\n “You showed a ton of heart,” White said.<\/p>\n Dana White Reacts To Henry Cejudo’s Retirement Dec 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Henry Cejudo (red gloves) fights Payton Talbott (blue gloves) during UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Later on, though, White reflected upon Cejudo’s career and revealed the one mistake Cejudo made: early retirement.<\/p>\n “So, you know, I was really unhappy when he retired,” White said. “I thought it was a really bad idea. He was in the prime of his career. And, you know, he and I talked about that tonight backstage. The guy’s had, not just a hell of a fight career, but just a hell of an athletic career. He’s married. They’re building a house. It’s all good s***.”<\/p>\n Ultimately, though, White appeared expectedly disappointed, given his feelings about Cejudo previously.<\/p>\n Cejudo had been in the UFC (even with his extended absence) since 2014. He won the title off a split decision against Demetrious Johnson in 2018 before Johnson was traded to ONE Championship in favor of Ben Askren. Cejudo’s run of dominance not only included Johnson, but also wins against T.J. Dillashaw, Dominick Cruz, and Marlon Moraes.<\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC 323 title fight cut short by absolutely disgusting arm break<\/a><\/p>\n Henry Cejudo’s Career Is Unprecedented Dec 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Henry Cejudo (red gloves) fights Payton Talbott (blue gloves) during UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Cejudo finished his MMA career 16-6 (10-5 UFC) after an impressive Olympic run as a freestyle wrestler. He has since transformed himself into a social media brand, which includes his own podcast among other non-fighting ventures.<\/p>\n With his career coming to a close, it’s a matter of time before Cejudo earns his place in the UFC Hall of Fame. When he will is a different story, but his r\u00e9sum\u00e9 speaks for himself, which would make him a worthy addition into an extremely rare club.<\/p>\n For now, though, he leaves the promotion as one of the best lighter-weight fighters ever, and a pioneer in the sport.<\/p>\n More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC Champion Tom Aspinall reveals brutal communication breakdown from Dana White<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a02 banger fights reportedly set for UFC’s return to Mexico in 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Ex-UFC champ shuts down report of Ronda Rousey vs. Katie Taylor boxing match<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0MMA fighter batters unconscious opponent following vicious slam KO<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Henry](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kbx3zk0z25j0z69qn6.jpg\" "\\"Henry")
<\/p>\n![\"Henry](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kbx42rjzjj0jrzh0mx.jpg\" "\\"Henry")
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