Henry Cejudo’s plan for retirement has been given a “go” by Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298.
Cejudo and Dvalishvili faced in the main card of the event this Saturday, with the latter winning via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). The two started the bout by trading leg kicks. At one point in the first round, Cejudo unleashed a huge left that undeniably wobbled the opponent. Nonetheless, “The Machine” took back the dominance by making a takedown. Despite “Triple C” making an escape, Dvalishvili surprised him with a right hand. The rest of the first round was a scramble between the two, with both trading control during the moment before the bell rang.
The action continued in the second round, with Cejudo making a takedown. This was followed by the exchanges of shots between the two, with both sides making another takedown. Nonetheless, by the end of the round, Dvalishvili took control through a front headlock.
In the third round, it was obvious that Dvalishvili was dominating the game. Despite Cejudo sending a bunch of leg kicks, he was repeatedly pressed against the cage by the No. 2 bantamweight. In the end, the former flyweight and bantamweight champ tried a takedown but failed.
With all this, Dvalishvili overshadowed Cejudo’s performance, leading to his unanimous decision success. This could force the 37-year-old UFC veteran to his retirement, which he announced prior to the event. In case this is indeed pushed by Cejudo, this will be the second time the fighter will retire after taking a rest for three years starting in 2020. According to Cejudo, nonetheless, his retirement will be “100%” this time.
“This is all or nothing,” Cejudo said during UFC 298 media day. “I sat with the team, and I was like, ‘It’s either gold or bust.’ I either win it all, or I’m not going to have it at all, and I’m out. I’m done. I am putting that timeline, that pressure on me, because I do take this sport serious.”
