Former dual-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo believes that the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion should consider a radical business move regarding its biggest historical star. As Conor McGregor enters the final bout of his current promotional agreement, Cejudo has publicly suggested that the UFC should simply allow the Irishman to walk away as a free agent rather than meeting his massive financial demands for a farewell fight.
McGregor, widely recognized as the most financially lucrative box-office attraction in the history of mixed martial arts, has just one fight remaining on his current contract with the organization. The former two-division champion recently revealed his future intentions outside of the Octagon, outlining plans to transition away from traditional mixed martial arts to compete in bare-knuckle boxing following the conclusion of his final UFC obligation in 2027.
The changing financial landscape of the promotion, however, creates a unique dilemma for UFC leadership, according to Cejudo. Speaking on an episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast, the Olympic gold medalist and combat sports analyst broke down the business logic that could lead the UFC to sever ties with the enduring megastar rather than negotiate a high-priced extension or final appearance.
Why Henry Cejudo Believes the UFC Should Cut Conor McGregor
The operational framework of the UFC has shifted significantly in recent years. Following the finalization of a massive $7.7 billion media rights and distribution agreement with Paramount/CBS, the organization has largely moved away from its traditional pay-per-view revenue model, which historically defined its financial success.
During the peak of the pay-per-view era, Conor McGregor shattered commercial records. Most notably, his high-profile crossover boxing match against undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017 generated an astonishing four million pay-per-view buys, cementing his status as a financial powerhouse. Under the previous financial structure, fighters who generated extraordinary revenue streams were compensated accordingly, with top-tier athletes commanding eight-figure purses.
However, Cejudo points out that under the new broadcast arrangement with Paramount/CBS, the traditional pay-per-view incentives no longer apply in the same manner. Because the promotion is operating under a massive, guaranteed multi-year television deal, Cejudo questions the economic sense of paying an estimated $30 million purse for a fighter who has not secured a victory inside the Octagon in recent years.
"Now it’s up to the UFC to say, ‘Hey, we’re going to pay you this much because you’re worth this much.’ I guarantee, I’m going to tell you right now, I can even see the UFC just letting him go based on what he got paid," Cejudo said on his podcast.
"They could be like, ‘Hey, you know what? You’ve got one fight left. We don’t think you’re worth that. You’re a free agent.’ If I’m a businessman and I want to keep a lot of my money, and I like Conor, forget Conor. I would cut him. I swear to you I would, because if they’re going to give him $30 million and not have to give him $30 million, particularly with that big-ass Paramount deal that they have and Paramount has to make their money, hey, just cut him. Let him be a free agent. Let him make more money elsewhere, but let him not make money or take money from us."
Cejudo emphasized that the decision would be purely business-driven. Without the traditional pay-per-view mechanism to offset high fighter purses through direct consumer purchases, and considering McGregor’s recent competitive struggles, the former champion argued that keeping the Irishman on the roster at an elite price tag may no longer align with the promotion’s corporate goals.
"There’s no more pay-per-view model, and this dude hasn’t won a fight. Just the business aspect of it," Cejudo continued, putting himself in the shoes of UFC CEO Dana White. "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. Just let him leave with the loss in the UFC. Let him start his own career. Let us not pay him what he’s worth, which is $30 million. I believe he got paid $30 million in this fight against [Max] Holloway. That’s what he used to generate. There’s no more pay-per-views. It’s not because, ‘Oh, Conor McGregor’s going to do this, give us more money.’ These contracts are already said and done."
How Conor McGregor Could Still Prove Valuable to the UFC
Despite Cejudo’s arguments regarding the shifting financial models and athletic output, dismissing Conor McGregor entirely remains a complex proposition for the organization. Even though the UFC has transitioned away from a strict pay-per-view-dependent structure under its new media rights era, the Irishman’s overall commercial footprint extends far beyond television broadcast revenue.
McGregor remains an unparalleled draw across multiple revenue streams. Live gate receipts, merchandise sales, corporate sponsorships, and global mainstream media attention all scale dramatically whenever the former champion steps foot near an event. His immense drawing power was recently demonstrated at UFC 329, where his presence helped drive a staggering $26 million live gate. Figures of that magnitude prove that, athletic results aside, the athlete known globally as ‘The Notorious’ continues to command the attention of paying fans and mainstream audiences alike.
Furthermore, with Paramount/CBS broadcasting the organization’s events moving forward, network executives will undoubtedly recognize the immense promotional value of having combat sports’ most recognizable personality actively competing on their platform as the calendar approaches 2027.
These competing factors leave the promotion with significant decisions to make. While Cejudo’s perspective highlights the cold, calculated financial realities of modern sports promotion under a multi-billion-dollar broadcast umbrella, the enduring commercial gravity of the sport’s biggest star ensures that his final chapter in the UFC will continue to draw intense speculation from industry insiders, fighters, and fans alike.
