Henry Cejudo Set to Make Pro Boxing Debut Against Actor

Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo (16-6 MMA) will make his professional boxing debut against actor and unbeaten prospect Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton (3-0-1, 1 KO) on September 26 in Miami.

Walton, best known for playing Ashtray in HBO series ‘Euphoria,’ has also been cast in the upcoming live-action ‘Gundam’ movie, based on the Japanese giant-robot franchise. The 20-year-old last fought in September 2025, beating Anthony Mora.

Cejudo’s original opponent, influencer Deen the Great, withdrew because of a shoulder injury, which Dean said he suffered while sparring several weeks prior to the bout. Cejudo wasn’t surprised with the withdrawal.

“I knew all along that Deen … would back out, and so I am not surprised,” Cejudo said. “But I have a new opponent now, who thinks he’s a fighter, but Wanna will be playing another robot by the time I’m done with him.”

Cejudo, 39, won Olympic wrestling gold at the 2008 Beijing Games before becoming UFC champion at flyweight and bantamweight. He retired from MMA in December 2025 following his fourth consecutive defeat, a unanimous decision loss to Payton Talbott. Cejudo has continued competing through Real American Freestyle, where he holds the RAF Lightweight Crossover Championship.

Walton acknowledged Cejudo’s credentials but pointed out that boxing presents a different challenge, saying “This is boxing, and this is my world.”