'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUH/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABf/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAz2yFM//EACAQAAICAQMFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAgQABQchERIUIjH/2gAIAQEAAT8AjZZZrao+des/w1CzNbwJRBBKjGPHwmRPU85W2Lv3KyrKNRpKS6AZCHc31Bz/xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAwABIv/aAAgBAgEBPwBjCC8z/8QAGBEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgMAASL/2gAIAQMBAT8AUsTHVT//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Henry Cejudo has put forth his prediction for the much-awaited Sean O'Malley-Merab Dvalishvili showdown. 'Triple C' insinuated that its winner won't reign as champion for long.
Cejudo captured the gold medal in the 55-kilogram category at the 2008 Olympics, before eventually transitioning to the sport of MMA. The American fighter of Mexican descent went on to win the UFC flyweight (125-pound) title and the UFC bantamweight (135-pound) title, holding both simultaneously at one point in his career. He retired from MMA in May 2020 as the then-bantamweight champion.
That said, Cejudo returned to MMA competition in 2023 and has competed twice. He suffered a split decision defeat against then-UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling in their title fight in May 2023. Following that, Cejudo was beaten by Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision in Feb. 2024.
Sean O'Malley defeated Aljamain Sterling via second-round TKO and was crowned the new UFC bantamweight champion in Aug. 2023. O'Malley notched his first title defense with a unanimous decision victory against Marlon Vera in their rematch in March 2024. Presently, O'Malley is booked to defend his belt against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 (Riyadh Season Noche UFC) on Sept. 14, 2024.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, Henry Cejudo recently suggested that Umar Nurmagomedov, who many foresee getting the next title shot, is the bantamweight division's future.
'Triple C' sees Dvalishvili dethroning O'Malley to become the new champion and then losing to the undefeated Nurmagomedov. Cejudo stated:
"I just feel like right now, the next person that's going to be in line to get the title shot is going to be Umar. And this is my prediction. Merab Dvalishvili is gonna stop Sean O'Malley at the Sphere. He's gonna beat him. He's either gonna 50-45 him -- or maybe not 50-45 because he may lose the first two rounds. He may lose the first round at least. He's gonna beat him."
"But then, once Umar comes in, Umar's just gonna; he's gonna have his way with Merab. He really is, man. Umar is really good, real technical," he added.
Watch Henry Cejudo's assessment below (13:20):
Henry Cejudo eyes potential fight against former UFC champion at flyweight
During his aforementioned interview, Henry Cejudo implied that he's open to moving back down to the flyweight division. Cejudo claimed to have pursued a fight against former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan. He opined that Yan and several other bantamweights are lobbying for a matchup against former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo who's wreaking havoc at bantamweight.
Cejudo seemingly feels that earning another title shot among the various rising contenders at bantamweight would be tough. He emphasized that he doesn't want to fight simply for the sake of fighting and is chasing championship gold. The 37-year-old plans on adopting a more disciplined lifestyle, recapturing the flyweight title and dominating in that division.
Among other exciting flyweight matchups that Henry Cejudo thinks await him, is a long-awaited grudge match against training partner-turned-foe, former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. Incidentally, Moreno announced his hiatus from competition in March 2024. 'Triple C,' who previously challenged Moreno to a fight at UFC 306, said:
"I think now, if I go down, and I beat him in Mexico, in his own country; I think that could be a big-a** payday too." [14:30]
