Henry Cejudo: Exact Age and Birth Facts
Henry Cejudo was born on February 9, 1987, making him 37 years old as of 2024. He is an American former professional mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler who won an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2008 Beijing Olympics at age 21. Cejudo later competed in the UFC, where he became a two-division champion. This profile provides his verified birth date, current age calculations, and a timeline of major career achievements.
Birth Date and Age Calculation Details
Age calculations are based on the difference between a person’s birth date and the current date. Cejudo’s birthday is February 9; therefore his age changes on February 9 each year. The following methods are commonly used to determine a public figure’s age:
- Exact birth date from official records or biographies.
- Publicly available census, passport, or licensing documents.
- Media reports that cite official announcements or registries.
Career Overview and Major Milestones
Cejudo’s career spans elite freestyle wrestling and mixed martial arts. His wrestling background includes World and Olympic titles, while his MMA run produced finishes and title runs in multiple weight classes. The table below highlights key verified dates and accomplishments.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| February 9, 1987 | Birth | Establishes identity and age for career timeline. |
| 2008 Beijing Olympics | Freestyle wrestling gold (55 kg) | Highest achievement in amateur wrestling; won at age 21. |
| 2014–2017 | UFC competition begins | Transition to MMA; starts climbing toward championship contention. |
| July 29, 2018 | UFC 227; wins bantamweight title | First UFC championship; becomes two-division champion. |
| December 29, 2018 | UFC 231; wins flyweight title | Only male UFC fighter to hold titles in two divisions simultaneously. |
| August 2020 | UFC 252; loses flyweight title | Defends title once before moving out of division. |
| March 2021 | UFC 260; vacates bantamweight title | Steps away from competition, later retires from MMA. |
Age Milestones and Competitive Context
Understanding Cejudo’s age at key moments clarifies the timeline of his achievements. In high-level sport, age can affect recovery, strategy, and opportunity windows. Cejudo’s career shows how an athlete can compress elite accomplishments into a concentrated window:
- At 21: Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling, one of the youngest on the U.S. team.
- Late 20s to early 30s: Transition to MMA and rapid ascent to two-division champion in the UFC.
- By 34: Holds gold and two UFC championship belts concurrently.
Public Age Queries and Clarifications
Because fighter ages can affect matchmaking and legacy narratives, Cejudo’s birth year is frequently referenced in discussions about past performance and future potential. Media sources, biographies, and official registries consistently list 1987 as his birth year. Discrepancies sometimes arise when informal sources report incorrect years; verified documents and federation records confirm the 1987 date and corresponding ages for each stage of his career.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Henry Cejudo’s exact birth date? He was born on February 9, 1987.
- How old was he when he won Olympic gold? He won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics at age 21.
- Is his age reflected consistently across sources? Yes, official biographies, Olympic records, and UFC media list 1987 as his birth year.
- Has he commented on age-related challenges in MMA? He has noted that the sport’s recovery demands increase with age and that he competed at an elite level into his mid-30s.
- What is his current competitive status? Cejudo retired from professional MMA competition after 2021 and no longer fights as of 2024.
Comparative Context: Wrestling vs. MMA Career Timeline
Cejudo’s trajectory is notable for rapid success across two combat sports. The table below compares approximate ages for major achievements in each discipline, emphasizing how he maximized performance windows.
| Achievement | Approximate Age | Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. World Team Member | 20 | Freestyle Wrestling |
| Olympic Gold Medalist | 21 | Freestyle Wrestling |
| UFC Flyweight Champion | 31 | MMA |
| UFC Bantamweight Champion | 31 | MMA |
| Two-division champion status | 31–32 | MMA |
Reliable Sources for Age Verification
For ongoing questions about Cejudo’s age or career dates, consult the following authoritative references:
- United World Wrestling (UWW) athlete profile and Olympic database.
- UFC official media kits and fighter bios published during championship runs.
- Official U.S. Olympic Committee records and press materials from 2008.
Summary and Key Takeaways
Henry Cejudo, born February 9, 1987, is 37 years old in 2024. He earned Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling at 21 and became a two-division UFC champion in his late 30s. Verified dates and age-related milestones are consistent across official wrestling and MMA records. This evergreen profile provides a durable reference for understanding his age, career timing, and legacy in combat sports.