Cheeseball? Cringe? Any Takers? If you’ve been in the MMA community long enough, these words point to none other than our favorite former two-division champ, Henry Cejudo. And guess what? He’s out. This time, for real. At least, that’s what he told Donald Trump.
The 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships had plenty of action. The biggest shock? Gable Steveson, an all-around wrestling juggernaut, got stunned in what’s now being called the “biggest upset in NCAA history.” The man responsible? Wyatt Hendrickson, who wiped the former champ’s name off the throne. How? With a clutch three-point takedown in the final 30 seconds, leaving everyone watching, shell-shocked. Talk about an ending no one saw coming! But as Daniel Cormier put it, “Things happen in wrestling.”
Hence, moving on, the action wasn’t confined to the mat. The event saw some heavyweight guests outside the mat as well. Welcome Donald Trump and his new favorite boy, Elon Musk. But the real scene stealer? A ringside interaction between Trump and Cejudo. Trump, an unapologetic combat sports enthusiast greeted ‘Triple C’ with, “How are you doing?” ‘Triple C’, in his usual no-nonsense manner, replied, “I’m doing good.” Then came the million-dollar question from Trump, “You got one more fight?,” to which the Olympic gold medalist, without a hint of hesitation, said, “I got one more and then I’m calling it.” Oh, really now? Haven’t we heard this one before?
But Trump wasn’t done. The conversation took a sharp turn toward the next generation of fighters. “How are these kids? Can they compete in the UFC?” The former two-division champ who knows a thing or two about wrestling’s dominance in MMA, explained, “Yeah, I mean obviously. You’ve got the folkstyle level, you’ve got the freestyles. You know how it’s different rules.” Trump, never one for details, cut to the chase, “But the best ones will be fine?” A fair question. History suggests wrestling is the ultimate foundation of MMA. Or maybe ask the fight fans. Because if there’s one thing we love along with fights, it’s debating.
“Some are naturally good fighters” – fans build on Henry Cejudo’s take
Of course, MMA fans weren’t just going to sit this one out. As soon as the clip made rounds on social media, the reactions came pouring in. And as expected, they ranged from respect to outright skepticism. One fan kept it light and appreciative, “I love how Trump is always genuinely interested in random stuff.” Say what you will about the man, but he does have an eye for combat sports. Another fan doubled down on Trump’s connection to MMA history. “Trump has been a fight fan for a long time, without him UFC probably wouldn’t even exist.” A bold claim, but not entirely baseless.
For those who forgot, a history lesson popped up in the replies. “Yes I know this. From the days he allowed them to use his Atlantic City casino and the Trump Taj Mahal in 2001… he’s been with them ever since.” The man definitely has receipts.
Then, the conversation veered into wrestling’s effectiveness in MMA. One fan chimed in, “Tbf I think most people agree folk style is better for MMA than freestyle, right? Emphasis on control?” A valid argument. Folkstyle, after all, puts a heavier emphasis on top control and pressure, something we’ve seen many NCAA wrestlers exploit in the Octagon. But not everyone is convinced, “Depends. Some wrestlers can’t really fight well, some are naturally good fighters.” And that’s the truth. Wrestling is just one piece of the puzzle.
While Trump was busy hyping up NCAA’s finest, one fan had their sights on Henry Cejudo’s actual announcement. “Damn no Cejudo title run. ” His career has been a rollercoaster of highs, retirements, unretirements, and ambitious callouts. His first ‘retirement’ in 2020? Fast forward to 2023, and he returned for a shot at Aljamain Sterling. The result? A loss. A second shot at Merab Dvalishvili? Another loss. And the cherry on top was an eye poke he endured this year against Song Yadong. Yeah, it’s high time.
And then, a reality check. “Haha, Trump must have missed Ben Askren’s last fights. Not sure all Div 1 wrestlers will be fine in MMA. They definitely have the physical training and competitive nature, but a kick to the head, a knee to the face, or an exposed neck can end that dream quickly.” A necessary truth. Wrestling dominance doesn’t always translate into MMA success. Wrestling is a powerhouse base, no doubt. But it’s not a golden ticket to UFC success. Some wrestlers adapt seamlessly, others get humbled quickly. So, who gets the honor of sending ‘Triple C’ into retirement (again)? And will this actually be his final exit? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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