Henry Cejudo, the former UFC champion and 2008 Olympic gold medalist, is set to make his professional boxing debut on September 26, 2026, at the James L. Knight Center in Miami. Initially scheduled to fight influencer-turned-boxer Nurideen “Deen the Great” Shabazz, Cejudo’s opponent changed due to Deen’s injury withdrawal. Javon “Wanna” Walton, a 20-year-old actor known for his role in the TV show Euphoria who also has a professional boxing record, stepped in as the new challenger for this Misfits Boxing event, which will be streamed live on DAZN.

Walton, with a record of 3 wins, no losses, and 1 draw, is under Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions banner and brings significant boxing experience despite his celebrity background. While Cejudo, 39, is making a transition from MMA, boasting a 16-6 MMA record and two UFC retirements with his most recent loss in December 2025, Walton’s youth and focus on boxing present an intriguing matchup. Walton has not fought since September 2025 but has proven himself a serious boxer, potentially making this a tougher challenge for Cejudo than originally anticipated with Deen the Great.

The event’s full card features other notable bouts, including former UFC standout Tony Ferguson defending his Misfits Middleweight Title against Kenzo Biyong. Ferguson’s presence adds further star power and legitimacy to the Misfits Boxing promotion, which has rapidly gained traction for cross-promotional fights featuring athletes and entertainers. All fights on the card are professional-level, solidifying the event’s competitive status in the growing trend of celebrity and crossover boxing matches.

This fight exemplifies the evolving landscape of combat sports where entertainers and athletes from different disciplines face off in boxing matches that blend sports legitimacy with entertainment. Cejudo’s entry into boxing at this stage of his career may be as much about the spectacle and payday as about competition, but Walton’s credible boxing resume and youth suggest this could be a compelling contest. The matchup symbolizes a clash between MMA experience and boxing youth, attracting attention from both combat sports and mainstream audiences alike.