Henry Cejudo’s UFC Career Ends at Bantamweight
Henry Cejudo’s anticipated move back to flyweight never happened. After returning from retirement in 2023, the former two-division champion continued competing at bantamweight. He lost to Song Yadong in February 2025 and, after another fight at UFC 323, announced his retirement from MMA.
The flyweight speculation
In 2024, Cejudo discussed a possible return to the 125-pound division, where he had previously held the UFC flyweight title. At the time, a matchup with former champion Brandon Moreno was only speculation. The UFC did not book Cejudo at flyweight; his remaining bouts took place at bantamweight.
Cejudo stayed at bantamweight
In February 2025, Cejudo met Song Yadong in Seattle. The fight ended after an accidental eye poke in the third round, and Song won by technical decision. The UFC scorecards show all three judges scoring the bout for Song.
Cejudo returned once more against Payton Talbott at UFC 323 on Dec. 6, 2025. Talbott won a unanimous decision, and the UFC described it as Cejudo’s final UFC appearance in its event recap. Cejudo announced his retirement afterward.
The record separates confirmed bouts from earlier flyweight talk. Cejudo had held the UFC title at 125 pounds, but his return fights after retirement were booked at bantamweight. Cejudo fought Song Yadong on February 22, 2025, and Payton Talbott on December 6, 2025, about nine and a half months apart; the latter was his final UFC appearance before he announced retirement from MMA.
Sources
Tags: MMA
