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Andrew McNicol

UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo said he is retiring after defending his title against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 on Saturday night.
“Uncle Dana, the UFC … thank you so much. I'm done with the sport,” Cejudo said in a shock announcement after the fight. “I'm 33, I have a girl, since I was 11 years old I sacrificed my whole life [for this].
“I'm retiring tonight and I'm happy with my career ending on a high. Thank you so much. Triple C’s out, you don't have to hear me any more.”
Cejudo (16-2) got Cruz (22-3) with a perfectly-timed knee towards the end of the second round, dropping the former 135-pound champion.

“Triple C” continued to land punches to Cruz’s head until referee Keith Peterson waived the fight off with two seconds left in the round.
Cruz was unhappy about the stoppage, saying he was working his way back up to his feet.

“I'm a chameleon, I can adjust,” said Cejudo, who was cut open from a clash of heads just before he threw the knee.
“You can try and stutter me but I have a great coach and he put the game plan together … we stuck to the game plan and that's all she wrote.
“I'm ruthless. I may be cringey, corny, but boy can I fight. I am the greatest combat sports athlete of all time. Nobody has my resume. I just defended my bantamweight belt, defended my flyweight belt, and did I mention I'm an Olympic champion?”

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UFC 249

UFC 249: Henry Cejudo says he’s retiring from MMA after TKO win against Dominick Cruz

Henry Cejudo exchanges with Dominick Cruz at UFC 249. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MAY 09: Henry Cejudo (top) of the United States punches Dominick Cruz (bottom) of the United States on the ground in their bantamweight title fight during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 09, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MAY 09: Announcer Joe Rogan (R) congratulates Henry Cejudo (L) of the United States after defeating Dominick Cruz of the United States in their bantamweight title fight during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 09, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

UFC 249: Calvin Kattar busts Jeremy Stephens open in emphatic KO win

Calvin Kattar reigns down blows on Jeremy Stephens on the canvas. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Stephens, left, receives medical attention after he was knocked out by Calvin Kattar during a UFC 249 mixed martial arts bout Saturday, May 9, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

May 9, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jeremy Stephens (red gloves) fights Calvin Kattar (blue gloves) during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

UFC 249: Anthony Pettis gets decision but Donald Cerrone upset after controversial ‘eye poke’

Anthony Pettis attempts to strike Donald Cerrone in their welterweight fight at UFC 249. Photos: AFP

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MAY 09: Donald Cerrone (L) of the United States kicks Anthony Pettis (R) of the United States in their Welterweight fight during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 09, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

UFC 249: Vicente Luque bludgeons Niko Price’s eye to earn TKO by doctor stoppage

Referee Jason Herzog calls over the doctor as Niko Price struggles to see out of his eye at UFC 249. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

May 9, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Vicente Luque (red gloves) fights Niko Price (blue gloves) during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

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Stipe Miocic lands a right hand against Francis Ngannou during their heavyweight championship bout at UFC 220 in Boston. Photo: AP

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Conor McGregor waits for the start of his welterweight bout against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246. Photo: AFP

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


‘Triple C’ defends his bantamweight title with controversial second-round stoppage over former champ Cruz
‘I’m done with the sport … I'm retiring tonight and I'm happy with my career ending on a high,’ says Cejudo



Henry Cejudo defends his bantamweight title with controversial second-round stoppage of former champion Dominick Cruz, then announces ‘I’m done with the sport’.


Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Henry Cejudo