Henry Cejudo, a former UFC two-division champion, competed on May 26, 2025, defeating ex-ONE Championship flyweight titleholder Kairat Akhmetov in a five-minute grappling match at Alash Pride 108 in Kazakhstan. The exhibition bout, focused on wrestling and submission techniques, highlighted Cejudo’s technical skill, marking his first victory since 2020.
Cejudo’s UFC Career and Recent Activity
Born January 9, 1987, in Los Angeles, Henry Cejudo joined the UFC in 2014, earning a 16-4 record. He won the flyweight title in 2018 against Demetrious Johnson and the bantamweight title in 2019 against Marlon Moraes. Cejudo retired after defending his bantamweight belt at UFC 249 in May 2020 against Dominick Cruz.
He returned in 2023, losing to Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili, with his last MMA fight a decision loss at UFC 298 in February 2024. Cejudo has since focused on wrestling and coaching, leading to this Alash Pride exhibition.
Grappling Match Summary
The Alash Pride 108 event, held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, featured Cejudo versus Akhmetov in a no-strikes grappling bout on May 26, 2025. The five-minute match emphasized takedowns, control, and submission attempts. Cejudo, a 2008 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling, used precise positioning to outscore Akhmetov by decision.
The bout showcased Cejudo’s ability to dominate on the mat, leveraging his Olympic-level wrestling to maintain control throughout the match.
Kairat Akhmetov, born October 12, 1987, in Kazakhstan, is a former ONE Championship flyweight champion, winning the title in 2015 against Adriano Moraes. With a 29-2 MMA record, Akhmetov is known for his wrestling and sambo expertise, competing in
ONE until 2022. His last MMA fight was a decision loss to Danny Kingad in December 2022.
Akhmetov’s grappling skills made him a strong opponent, but Cejudo’s technique proved superior in this exhibition.
Cejudo’s participation in Alash Pride 108 aimed to keep his skills sharp after his UFC setbacks. He announced in April 2025 via Instagram his intent to compete in exhibitions, hinting at a potential MMA return. The win over Akhmetov builds confidence as he considers his next steps.
Cejudo coaches at Fight Ready in Arizona, working with fighters like Zhang Weili, and has expressed interest in a UFC comeback, possibly targeting a title shot.
The grappling match, though not an MMA fight, demonstrated Cejudo’s enduring ability against a respected opponent. Alash Pride, a regional promotion, offered a stage for this high-profile bout, drawing attention to Cejudo’s wrestling prowess.
The victory reinforces Cejudo’s competitive edge, positioning him for a possible UFC return in late 2025 or beyond, depending on his plans.
