Henry Cejudo was expected to retire from MMA with a loss at UFC 298 but wasn’t even offered the time to speak on the microphone.
The former champion said that he would “100% retire” should he lose at UFC 298 and that outcome looked certain as he began taking off his gloves in the aftermath of a decision loss to Dvalishvili.
Yet the microphone wasn’t passed to Triple C, who was filmed leaving the octagon with unwrapped gloves still in hand, having not been awarded the chance to speak to the Anaheim crowd.
Speaking to media at the post-fight press conference, Dana White said that “You don’t give the mic to Cejudo tonight”, adding how the opportunity to speak went only to the victor: “Tonight was Merab’s night.”
Dana White on Cejudo’s lack of mic-time following UFC 298 loss
At the post-fight press conference, White admitted that the UFC brass “haven’t been thrilled with Merab” for refusing to face teammate and friend Aljamain Sterling when ‘Funk Master’ held the belt.
“Merab was in a position where he wouldn’t fight his friend, you know how we love that here, when you want to do that, so I haven’t been thrilled with Merab – I don’t like that attitude.”
Yet that sentiment appears to have subsided in the aftermath of the Georgian’s impressive win over Triple C, with White explaining how Henry wasn’t offered the chance to retire on camera since he’s “already retired” once before.
“Merab went in there tonight and he beat the former champion. Henry Cejudo already retired. Okay, he did the whole drop-the-gloves thing. Tonight was Merab’s night, Merab went in there and fought the number 3 in the world, the former champion, and he won easily. Tonight was Merab’s night.”
White then added that if Cejudo did want to retire with the opportunity to speak to fans, he should make that announcement at the post-fight press conference: “If he wants to retire again, he can do that here or somewhere else, you don’t give the mic to Cejudo tonight.”
Dvalishvili was also confirmed by the promotion’s brass to be the next in line for the bantamweight world title, which is set to be defended at UFC 299 when Sean O’Malley rematches Marlon Vera.
Considering the outstanding resume and legacy of Henry Cejudo in the world of combat sports, it was a shame not to hear from the former champion in the moments immediately after the contest.