If you missed UFC 298, you missed a bantamweight brawl that will be etched in the annals of MMA history. Merab Dvalishvili, the relentless warrior from Georgia, extended his winning streak to a whopping ten consecutive fights with a unanimous decision over the legend Henry Cejudo. This victory at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., wasn’t just another win; it was a statement that echoed through the bantamweight division, and now, it’s hard to deny Dvalishvili a shot at the title.
The stakes were sky-high as Dvalishvili faced off against Cejudo, a former two-division champ and Olympic gold medalist. The fight delivered on all fronts, with Dvalishvili showcasing a relentless motor that pushed him past Cejudo with identical judges’ scores of 29-28. The signature performance of his seven-year run in the Octagon has now officially made him the No. 1 contender in one of the sport’s deepest divisions.
‘I am so proud. I was working so hard, all my life. I don’t get nothing easy, I always work for it,’ Dvalishvili said post-fight. ‘Three rounds is nothing for me, I want a five-round fight. Where is champion? Bring him in here right now! Everybody wants me to face the champion!’
And face the champion he might, as Dvalishvili is set to take on the winner of the UFC 299 title bout between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera. But it wasn’t just the win that had fans talking; it was the manner of his victory. After a competitive first round, Dvalishvili dominated the second frame on the ground and even had a full conversation with Meta CEO and MMA fanatic Mark Zuckerberg, who was seated in the front row. ‘He was giving some tips and everything was beautiful!’ Dvalishvili exclaimed. ‘I was smiling!’
In the third round, Dvalishvili’s boxing and frantic pace kept Cejudo constantly a step behind. Despite Cejudo’s game effort and a swollen left wrist, Dvalishvili dropped him in front of an animated Zuckerberg, sealing the deal on his victory.
‘I’m ready, I’m ready for a 10-round fight,’ Dvalishvili declared. ‘I have been following Sean O’Malley since 2018, I have been calling for him. My only goal is for a title right now.’
Cejudo, on the other hand, had hinted at retirement if he lost, and while he didn’t lay down his gloves in the cage, the future for this combat sports legend remains uncertain. The loss was Cejudo’s second since returning from a three-year retirement, and it begs the question: has Father Time finally caught up with ‘Triple C’?
As for Dvalishvili, he’s made it clear that he’s fighting for legacy, not just a paycheck. His drive and determination have been recognized by the champion himself, Sean O’Malley, who noted Dvalishvili’s hunger for the win. ‘I think Merab might get that one done,’ O’Malley had said before the fight, and indeed, Dvalishvili did just that.
So, what’s next for the bantamweight division? With Dvalishvili’s star shining brighter than ever and a title shot on the horizon, the UFC’s most stacked division just got even more exciting. Stay tuned, fight enthusiasts, because the bantamweight belt is up for grabs, and Merab Dvalishvili is coming for gold!
Related posts:
UFC 298 results, highlights: Merab Dvalishvili moves closer to title shot with dominant win over Henry Cejudo
Merab Dvalishvili: The Unstoppable Rise in the World of MMA (bnnbreaking.com)
Social media reacts to Merab Dvalishvili’s victory Henry Cejudo at UFC 298, callout of Sean O’Malley
