Henry Cejudo’s Final Fight and a Call for Change
Henry Cejudo is set to step into the octagon for the final time at UFC 323, where he will face Payton Talbott in what promises to be a significant event. This fight, taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, marks Cejudo’s return to the octagon after a notable absence. His last appearance was at UFC Seattle in February, where he lost a technical decision to Song Yadong. The fight ended controversially when Cejudo suffered a painful eye poke from his opponent, leading to a bout that went to the scorecards.
The Lingering Effects of Eye Pokes
The incident with Song Yadong is just one of many eye pokes that have plagued the sport this year, often resulting in premature stoppages and minimal consequences for the offenders. For Cejudo, this issue is more than just a personal grievance; it’s a call for a systemic change in the sport’s rules and enforcement. He believes that the prevalence of eye pokes, whether intentional or accidental, is not only unfair but also poses serious risks to fighters’ long-term health and well-being. The frustration is palpable, and Cejudo is vocal about his desire for stricter guidelines and more robust penalties.
Cejudo’s Call for Accountability
In a recent media scrum, Cejudo expressed his frustration with the current state of affairs. “I think everybody needs to man up,” he said, addressing key figures in the sport, including UFC President Dana White, the Nevada State Athletic Commission, and the referees. “If we’re being warned in the back, alright, I’m going to start taking my warning, I’m going to start sticking you in the eye, too. I get a warning. Everybody just needs to f*cking man up and step up, and make this thing official.” Cejudo’s words reflect a deep-seated belief that the sport’s governing bodies must take a more proactive role in ensuring the safety and fairness of the fights.
A Painful Precedent: The Aspinall-Gane Fight
One of the more memorable eye pokes occurred in the main event of October’s UFC 321, when Tom Aspinall defended his heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane. Despite a strong start from Gane, the fight was halted when he accidentally poked Aspinall in the eye, leaving the champion with injuries that he is still recovering from. This incident, like others, underscores the potential for long-term damage and the need for more stringent measures to prevent such occurrences.
The Broader Impact on Fighters
For Cejudo, the issue is not just about the integrity of the sport but also about the well-being of his peers. “Dude, somebody could lose an eye,” he explained. “Bisping. How many… these dudes are deformed for life, dude. That sucks. You know what I’m saying? It sucks, one, that it happened to me, and two, Bethe Correira, there’s a lot of people that have eye issues that you guys don’t even know about.” Cejudo’s concern is genuine, and he is determined to use his final fight as a platform to push for change. He wants to see immediate action to prevent life-changing vision issues and ensure that fighters are not left with permanent injuries.
A Call for Immediate Action
Cejudo’s final fight is more than just a personal milestone; it’s a rallying cry for the entire MMA community. He believes that if the issue of eye pokes is not addressed, the consequences will be dire. “So it starts here, and I think it needs to be immediate. And if not, I think people need to be held accountable for that stuff. If I also lose an eye, dude, oof. Can you imagine that? ‘Oh yeah, good job. You’re a warrior.’ Oh, OK. Who’s going to give me my eye back? Like everybody needs to step up. Everybody, including Dana White.” Cejudo’s message is clear: the time for change is now, and the stakes are too high to ignore.
