Former champion loses patience with Dana White and demands drastic change in the UFC: 'He needs to assert himself'

Dana White during an interview. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube

Among various controversies involving the UFC, the eye pokes have perhaps received the most media attention recently, especially after the outcome of the fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane . In this context, Henry Cejudo , who returns to the octagon against Payton Talbot this Saturday (7), publicly demanded a resolution to the problem in an assertive manner.

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In an interview with 'Full Send MMA', Cejudo criticized the apparent difficulty the UFC and the relevant authorities have in toughening the punishments for athletes who break the rule.

“I think everyone needs to stand up for themselves. Dana White, the Nevada State Athletic Commission, the referees, make a decision, man. If you can't, like, dude, this is a joke. If we're getting warned back there, then fine, I'll start heeding the warnings and I'll start poking them in the eye too. Everyone needs to stand up for themselves, create something and make it official. Someone could lose an eye. It has to be immediate, and if it isn't, people need to be held accountable. If I lost an eye, man, holy shit. Imagine, like, 'Oh yeah, the guy's a warrior,' oh, okay, but who's going to give me back my eye? Everyone needs to stand up for themselves, including Dana White,” said Triple C.

Henry Cejudo went off on Dana White, the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the referees for the current eye poke problem

"Man up and make a f*****g decision. If you're not gonna do it that's bulls**t. I'm gonna take my warning and start sticking guys in the eye too then" pic.twitter.com/7RZs6uIxYq

— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) December 3, 2025

Cejudo has already suffered from fingers being poked in the eyes.

Henry Cejudo recovering from an illegal strike. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram UFC

Cejudo has reason to criticize the situation. In his last fight, against Song Yadong , the former flyweight (up to 56,7 kg) and featherweight (up to 65,7 kg) champion was unable to complete the 25-minute fight after being poked in the eye during the third round. Due to the elapsed time, the judges' scorecards were consulted and he ended up losing by unanimous decision.

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