Henry Cejudo, a unique athlete with an impressive combat resume, is about to enter the cage at UFC Seattle for his 21st fight. The question on everyone’s mind is whether he’s an all-time mixed martial arts (MMA) great. While Cejudo had some standout moments, his career was largely defined by a brief period of greatness in six fights.
Cejudo’s rise to fame began in 2017 with a series of dominating victories over top opponents, including Wilson Reis and T.J. Dillashaw. He won four consecutive title victories in two divisions, solidifying his position as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. However, despite this impressive résumé, Cejudo’s career was cut short due to personal reasons.
Twelve years after his professional debut, Cejudo is now 38 years old and returning from a retirement that was largely driven by financial considerations. He faces a tough opponent in Song Yadong, who has fought 11 more times than Cejudo in his career. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Cejudo can still add to his legacy with a victory.
While it’s impossible to know for certain what could have been, one thing is clear: Cejudo’s career was marked by flashes of brilliance, but ultimately defined by its brevity. His 2025 intentions are clear – to rebound against Yadong and make a push for the Flyweight title – but the road ahead will be tough.
Will Cejudo be able to overcome his age disadvantage and prove himself once again? Only time will tell.
Source: https://www.mmamania.com/2025/2/21/24369705/henry-cejudo-complicated-combat-legacy-ufc-seattle-song-yadong-espn-mma-flyweight-olympics