Mike Tyson was impressed by UFC 323 star who ‘perfectly’ copied his signature move

‘Iron Mike’ liked what he saw from a former two-division UFC champion.

In addition to the two reigning titleholders who are set to headline UFC 323, the upcoming pay-per-view in Las Vegas will feature multiple fighters with experience occupying thrones in MMA’s leading promotion.

Before Petr Yan challenges Merab Dvalishvili in pursuit of becoming a two-time bantamweight champion, Brandon Moreno and Jan Blachowicz will look to advance their ambitions of making their way back to UFC gold.

But it’ll be a different story for Henry Cejudo, a retiring former two-division champ who is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in combat sports history.

While known for his wrestling, ‘Triple C’ is not without his striking strengths, which the legendary Mike Tyson witnessed first-hand back in 2020.

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Mike Tyson taught former UFC double champion Henry Cejudo his devastating uppercut

After Cejudo finished Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 to successfully defend the bantamweight title for the first time, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling announced his surprise retirement.

That decision did not stop ‘Triple C’ from staying involved in combat sports, and he even found himself in the ring with ‘Iron Mike’ just weeks later.

At the time, the former undisputed heavyweight world champion was preparing to make his boxing comeback a few months before sharing the ring with Roy Jones Jr.

Tyson was putting in work with MMA coach Rafael Cordeiro, who uploaded footage of what unfolded when the boxing legend trained with Cejudo.

‘Iron Mike’ taught the UFC star one of his signature moves, demonstrating how to land a couple of his devastating uppercuts to the body in quick succession.

Tyson was clearly impressed by Cejudo, describing his attempts to replicate the move as “perfect.”

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Dana White defended choice of opponent for Henry Cejudo’s retirement fight at UFC 323

Saturday’s PPV in Las Vegas is set to mark the final outing inside the Octagon for one of combat sports’ best.

Cejudo has decided to return to retirement after one final fight, having been unable to regain the bantamweight title since making his comeback in 2023.

The decision to match a legend like ‘Triple C’ against an unranked prospect in Payton Talbott caused some debate when it was first announced.

But as well as Cejudo reacting positively to the UFC 323 booking, Dana White also defended it.

“It’s a fun fight,” White said during a Contender Series press conference.

“You know, when you have a young up and coming guy like Talbott, you want to put him in against guys that are a hardcore veteran like (Cejudo). So yeah, I love that fight,” he added.