Henry Cejudo to Face Deen The Great in Sept. 26 Pro Boxing Debut

Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo transitions to professional boxing against Deen The Great on Sept. 26 at the James L. Knight Arena in Miami.

Henry Cejudo, a 39-year-old former two-division UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist, will make his professional boxing debut on September 26 at the James L. Knight Arena in Miami. The combat sports veteran is scheduled to face Nurideen Shabazz, popularly known as Deen The Great, in a card promoted by Misfits Boxing. This event will be broadcast live on DAZN for viewers in the United States, marking a significant transition for the athlete who officially retired from mixed martial arts in December.

Key details

Brett Okamoto reported the matchup details on August 21, 2026, confirming that the Thursday night event will pit a decorated wrestler against a social media personality. While Cejudo has participated in amateur boxing matches previously, this contest represents his first sanctioned professional appearance in the ring. The James L. Knight Arena, located in the heart of Miami, serves as the backdrop for this crossover spectacle between a traditional martial arts icon and an influencer who rose to prominence through viral street fighting videos.

Cejudo’s 2026 schedule remains densely packed despite his departure from the UFC roster. Before the September boxing match, he is slated to compete against Merab Dvalishvili at RAF 12 this coming Saturday. The former champion has already participated in two wrestling matches earlier this year, maintaining a high level of activity across multiple disciplines. His career, defined by a freestyle wrestling gold medal and championship belts in two separate UFC weight classes, now enters a phase focused on diverse combat challenges.

Deen The Great enters the bout as a primary figure within the influencer boxing circuit. Shabazz has successfully leveraged his internet following to secure high-profile matches under the Misfits Boxing banner. The promotion has not yet released specific information regarding the number of rounds or the designated weight limit for the Miami clash. However, the pairing of a 39-year-old veteran with a modern content creator highlights the ongoing trend of hybrid combat sports entertainment.

Latest developments

The transition to the squared circle follows Cejudo’s long-standing reputation for technical grappling and striking within the octagon. By choosing a professional boxing path, he joins a growing list of mixed martial artists seeking new competitive avenues after retiring from the UFC. The September 26 date provides a five-week window following his scheduled RAF 12 appearance to prepare for the specific demands of pugilism.

Domestic fans can access the full fight card through the DAZN streaming service, which holds the broadcast rights for this Misfits Boxing production. The choice of a Thursday night for the event distinguishes it from the typical weekend schedule of major combat sports organizations. As the James L. Knight Arena prepares for the influx of spectators, the focus remains on whether Cejudo’s elite athletic pedigree can overcome the youth and specific boxing experience of Shabazz.

This professional debut serves as a pivotal moment for Cejudo’s post-MMA legacy. Having conquered the highest levels of amateur wrestling and professional cage fighting, the Miami event tests his adaptability in a sport where he lacks a professional record. The contrast between his Olympic background and Shabazz’s viral origins creates a unique narrative for the DAZN audience. With four distinct competitive appearances already logged or scheduled for 2026, the athlete continues to defy the typical trajectory of a retired fighter.