For the most part, you can usually spot a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from a mile away — cauliflower ears, odd tattoos, or a hulking physique usually give it away. But global movie star Matt Damon once crossed paths with one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time and didn’t recognize him at all.
That fighter? Henry Cejudo — who was a reigning champion at the time.
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On a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Damon and Ben Affleck stopped by to promote their new Netflix movie The RIP (it’s actually pretty good), and Damon shared a funny story about an awkward backstage encounter at a UFC event, which was most likely UFC 227 in Los Angeles.
“I remember going to one of the events in Los Angeles, I think it was at Staples Center, and I was backstage,” Damon said. “I was talking to one of the lawyers about the UFC — we were talking about Conor McGregor and he was telling me a great story about him. This guy walks up, and he’s in chinos — like khaki pants — and a blue button-up business shirt with spectacles. He’s very small, and I kind of don’t really regard him. I’m still listening to this story.”
That’s when Damon realized his mistake.
“Then Patrick goes, ‘Matt, do you know Henry?’ I turn, and it’s Henry Cejudo.”
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Damon immediately understood the gravity of the situation.
“And I’m like, ‘This f—king guy could wreck me right now,’” Damon laughed. “Like absolutely f—king destroy me. He’s the guy that some dummy would try and pick on. You know what I mean? He wasn’t carrying himself like a fighter. He’s just the thing. You don’t want to find that one out too late.”
Despite the momentary misread, Damon made it clear that his experiences with fighters have always been positive.
Here’s a video of Damon attending the event:
Nevertheless, if the timeline checks out, Cejudo went on to become a two-division UFC champion just five months later, knocking out T.J. Dillashaw in 32 seconds on the first-ever ESPN+ UFC card.
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Cejudo officially retired from MMA last month following a fourth straight loss to surging prospect Payton Talbott at UFC 323, but “Triple C” isn’t done competing just yet. He’ll be lacing up the wrestling shoes again to face Urijah Faber at RAF 006.
