Henry Cejudo is settling into true retirement after concluding his iconic career in Las Vegas last Saturday.
The former UFC two-division champion is widely regarded as one of the greatest martial artists ever, having won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics before making a successful transition to MMA. He is famously known for ending Demetrius Johnson’s dominance as flyweight champion, then moving up to claim the bantamweight title, holding both belts simultaneously.
Cejudo is one of the few fighters to have not only won titles in two weight classes but also successfully defended both. He reflected that if he had remained retired after his initial retirement in 2020, he likely would have been considered the greatest fighter of all time.
Since retiring in an emotional ceremony at UFC 323, Cejudo is already embracing life after fighting. Currently in Dubai for the IBA Men’s Elite World Championships, he gave his first interview post-retirement to Bloody Elbow.
Looking ahead, Cejudo is developing a children’s book that shares his story alongside those of other combat legends. “I’m starting to write children’s books to help many legendary figures,” he stated. “I have a rolodex full of legends and want to teach them about business and more. I want to tell authentic stories because I have kids and understand the power of inspiring them with real experiences.”
He envisions bringing in various athletes to share their own stories, allowing them to become authors and tell truthful narratives. “Kids won’t just read simple tales like ‘Little Timmy fell down’; these will be strong, motivating stories designed to inspire.”
Fan Take: Henry Cejudo’s transition from champion fighter to children’s book author is a powerful move that not only preserves his legacy but also introduces young fans to the real challenges and triumphs behind combat sports. This shift could inspire future generations and help elevate MMA’s cultural impact beyond the cage.
