“It’s about the challenge—the challenge of proving I can still do it. It’s about competing against the best and testing myself,” said Henry Cejudo earlier this year, explaining his motivation for returning to the UFC after a self-induced sabbatical. The former UFC two-division champion and Olympic gold medalist, one of only four fighters in history to hold two UFC titles, walked away from the Octagon in 2020, feeling like he had nothing left to prove after defending his bantamweight title with a 10-2 record in the promotion. But let’s be real, the move was a bid to negotiate a better pay deal with Dana White. This was made more evident as ‘Triple C’ immediately started calling out then 145lbs god-king Alexander Volkanovski not even one month into his ‘retirement.’

Cejudo finally returned in 2023 aiming in a title bout against Aljamain Sterling. Unfortunately, his comeback didn’t go as planned, and after three ‘post-retirement fights’, ‘Triple C’ is still without a victory. So, a question naturally arises! When will the UFC legend decide it’s time to walk away for good? Recently, Cejudo addressed his future—not through the media, a press conference, or even his Pound 4 Pound podcast with co-host Kamaru Usman, but in an unexpected conversation with none other than U.S. President Donald Trump.

The two met last week at the 2025 NCAA finals, where they witnessed what was dubbed “the biggest upset” in NCAA history when Gable Steveson shockingly lost to Wyatt Hendrickson. Apart from the obvious shocker, the conversation turned to the 2008 Olympic gold medalist as well. Despite his recent form, Trump praised Henry Cejudo’s physical condition. The POTUS, a longtime combat sports fan, greeted the former Olympian with, “How you doing?” To which Cejudo replied, “Good.” Trump then asked, “You got one more fight?” Cejudo nodded and confirmed, “I got one more, and then I’m calling it.”

The conversation then shifted to the future of NCAA wrestlers in MMA, with Trump asking the UFC veteran about their potential in the sport. Cejudo acknowledged the challenge but remained confident, stating, “Obviously,” before breaking down the key differences in wrestling styles. He explained, “There’s the folkstyle level, then you’ve got the freestylers—you know how the rules are different.” In response, Trump expressed optimism, replying, “But the best ones will be fine.”

Cejudo’s perspective was spot-on, as collegiate wrestling primarily focuses on folkstyle, which emphasizes control and riding time. Folkstyle wrestlers earn points by maintaining dominant control over their opponents. In contrast, freestyle wrestling, which is more prevalent at the international level, prioritizes exposure, with points given for executing explosive, high-impact moves.

When it comes to MMA, folkstyle wrestlers tend to shine in control-based grappling, much like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Jon Jones, who dominate their opponents with relentless pressure and positional control. On the other hand, freestyle wrestlers excel in fast transitions and explosive attacks—qualities that Henry Cejudo himself showcased throughout his career. Now coming back to the all-timer shocker! It is safe to say that the next step in Gable Steveson’s career is in his own hands. Cejudo, however, had some advice for the 24-year-old wrestler. Let’s take a look at what he had to say!

Throwback: Henry Cejudo slammed the WWE for allegedly controlling Gable Steveson’s Olympic pursuit

Gable Steveson’s return to competition on Saturday didn’t go as planned. After a two-year break, he aimed for his third NCAA title at the 2025 NCAA Finals. Entering as the heavy favorite, he faced Wyatt Hendrickson in front of a packed Wells Fargo Arena, with 18,826 spectators witnessing the Minnesota star’s 70-match collegiate wrestling win streak come to a sudden end. Back in 2023, Steveson signed a promising deal with WWE, following Daniel Cormier’s advice: “If I’m Gable Steveson, I’m going to WWE first.”

However, his time with WWE didn’t go as anticipated, leading to the two parties parting ways. This raises the question: Why did Gable Steveson leave the world of pro-wrestling? It seems that Henry Cejudo might have the answer. On his “Pound for Pound” podcast last year, alongside Kamaru Usman and guest Chael Sonnen, ‘Triple C’ accused the WWE of hindering Steveson’s freestyle wrestling career, calling it a “stupid” move.

Cejudo remarked, “A guy like Gable Steveson, they’re going to regret giving the best of his youth away to chase entertainment and money. At 21, I’ve never seen a heavyweight move like him. I thought, ‘This dude can go win another gold medal and set himself apart from the rest.’ But now… WWE is stopping him from going to the Olympic trials because he’s committed to Tuesday Night SmackDown.”

Now, the big question is: What’s next for Gable Steveson? Will he head back to WWE, pursue another shot at the Olympic trials, or could the UFC be his next destination, following in the footsteps of Henry Cejudo? Share your thoughts below.