Demetrious Johnson gives Henry Cejudo harsh truth regarding retirement: ‘No reason to risk his health’
Two-time ex-UFC rival Demetrious Johnson reacts to Henry Cejudo's third straight loss at UFC Seattle vs. Song Yadong.
Demetrious Johnson reacts to Henry Cejudo losing third straight at UFC Seattle (Source: IMAGO/X)
Olympian wrestler Henry Cejudo is now on a 0-3 losing run since ending his retirement in 2023. “Triple C” has gone five years without winning; a technical decision skid to Song Yadong at the UFC Seattle headliner does not help the cause. Cejudo’s two-time UFC rival – Demetrious Johnson – gave his take on the matter.
Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong would have gone the full length at UFC Seattle’s event headliner. That is, if not for a third-round mid-round eye poke foul. Cejudo told coaches Eddie Cha and Santino DeFranco he couldn’t see out of his left eye anymore. Demetrious Johnson, as is the norm, reacted to Cejudo’s performance and subsequent third straight loss.
Now he’s on a three-fight losing streak, what is he doing next? …I don’t see the point of it…the likelihood of Henry Cejudo getting opportunities to keep on fighting number one contenders over and over again…Would I like to see Henry Cejudo retire? Yeah, I think so. He’s beaten me, flyweight champion, defended the belt, bantamweight champion…that’s more than half of the m—–f*ker on the roster…there’s no reason to fight and keep risking his health.
Demetrious Johnson on his YT Channel
Johnson and Henry Cejudo have fought twice in the UFC. Johnson, then the UFC flyweight champion, finished Cejudo via first-round TKO at UFC 197. “Triple C” rebounded at UFC 227 via split decision. On the stem of Chael Sonnen and Anderson Silva, the duo trained later and even sat down for the podcast.
The former dual-division champ gave updates on soft tissue damage and was transported to Seattle Rain City Hospital due to ocular diplopia. As of writing this though, Cejudo insists he’ll continue fighting; Song Yadong is also keen to run it back again.
However, as a friend, Demetrious Johnson advises against it; to his point, Cejudo has done all he could. He also co-hosts the Pound 4 Pound podcast with former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Unlike ‘DJ’, others have had more rough takes.
Team Sean O’Malley takes a jab at rival Henry Cejudo after UFC Seattle main event loss
Former two-division UFC champ Cejudo was looking forward to snapping a two-fight skid at UFC Seattle. The last one, specifically, was a derelict performance from the Olympian wrestler where a wrestle-heavy Merab Dvalishvili manhandled him at UFC 298 PPV. However, Song Yadong and a double-poke played spoiler.
Cejudo demanded a rematch after a trip to the hospital. However, he keeps facing flak with his situation and fighting future this foggy. Sean O’Malley and Henry Cejudo have beefed for years; now, “Suga” and his side add to the list of detractors.
Henry knew he had nothing left for Song. #UFC
— Tim Welch (@TimwelchMT) February 23, 2025
Gamesmanship or not, trying to play for keeps or not, Cejudo did not end things or call for a DQ. Instead, he asked for a point deduction and then halted it when he couldn’t see anymore; perhaps thinking he was ahead. Mike Bell and Derek Cleary scored it 29-28, while Sal D’Amato judged it 30-27 against on the scorecards!
That makes for unanimous scores of 29-28, 29-28, 30-27! O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch writes and jibes that Cejudo knew he had nothing left to give and hence went this roundabout way.
Related: UFC Seattle star Henry Cejudo creates VIRAL nickname for rival Song Yadong after backstage meeting
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