Henry Cejudo Says UFC Should Cut Conor McGregor Before $30 Million Final Fight

Henry Cejudo has a savage plan for Conor McGregor.© NDTV Photo Library

Henry Cejudo believes the UFC would be better off releasing Conor McGregor than paying him $30 million for one last fight. In his view, the promotion's move away from pay-per-view has changed the economics around its biggest star, and a final McGregor bout may no longer be worth the outlay. McGregor, 38, has one fight remaining on his UFC deal. He has spoken openly about using that appearance as a farewell before moving into bare-knuckle boxing in 2027, but the UFC has yet to confirm an opponent, date, or venue. Cejudo's argument is simple. McGregor was reportedly paid around $30 million for his loss to Max Holloway at UFC 329, and Cejudo does not see why the promotion should repeat that number for a fighter whose recent results have been poor.

Cejudo questions McGregor's value

The UFC's $7.7 billion television deal with Paramount and CBS has changed the commercial landscape. Cejudo believes that shift has reduced the importance of a pay-per-view superstar and weakened McGregor's leverage.

“If I'm a businessman and I want to keep a lot of my money, and I like Conor, f**k Conor. I would cut him,” Cejudo said on the Pound 4 Pound podcast.

“Pretend I'm Dana White. You know what I'm doing? I'm saying he's got one fight left, his last fight wasn't even a fight. He lost again.”

McGregor has not won since stopping Donald Cerrone in 2020. Four of his last five fights have ended in defeat, and his UFC 329 comeback lasted just 69 seconds before a knee injury ended it.

McGregor is still a major draw

The counterargument is that McGregor remains a commercial force. His fight with Holloway drew a $26 million live gate, a reminder that even a short, injury-hit comeback can still fill an arena.

That night ended badly for McGregor. He injured his right knee while throwing a kick, was stopped by Holloway, and later revealed that he had torn his ACL and meniscus.

He is now 22-7 and has not fought since. He still targets a July 2027 return at International Fight Week, though nothing has been booked.

BKFC adds another path

Conor McGregor's co-ownership of BKFC gives him an obvious next destination if the UFC decides against a farewell fight. BKFC president David Feldman, however, has said McGregor is not guaranteed a bout and must first perform well in his final UFC appearance.

A release would free McGregor to negotiate with BKFC or another promotion. It would also remove one of the UFC's most reliable commercial attractions from its roster.

The UFC has not responded to Cejudo's suggestion. McGregor is still recovering from knee surgery. His next move depends on both his fitness and the promotion's willingness to fund one more major fight.