It looks like Henry Cejudo might not be done fighting just yet.
Cejudo (16-3) returned to action after three years away this past Saturday, falling just short in the UFC 288 main event. A split decision saw two judges give opponent Aljamain Sterling the nod, as Cejudo had attempted to reclaim his old bantamweight championship.
A dejected “Triple C” sounded like it might be back to retirement following that setback. However, on Monday, Cejudo took aim at top-ranked 135’er Merab Dvalishvili — a fight that makes an awful lot of sense.
“This sh*t is far from over. I want Merab Dvalishvili’s head on a plate,” Cejudo wrote on social media, targeting the close friend and teammate of champ Sterling.
CCC is not done!! Make it happen Dana! #UFC288 #UFCBoston pic.twitter.com/wKIKXHJs3y
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) May 8, 2023
The UFC might as well go ahead and book this one. Sterling is already set to face Sean O’Malley next, and Dvalishvili will not fight his pal. Worse, the Georgian known as “The Machine” has been very machine-like in clearing out the division of anyone not already beaten by buddy “Aljo,” creating something of a one-two punch in the weight class.
Cejudo, coming off a loss to Sterling, isn’t in line for another title shot anyway, making the fight a safe one. But should Cejudo defeat Dvalishvili, given the close nature of his first fight with Sterling, he could have a solid argument to get right back in the mix, or at worst be a win away from another shot at gold.
Dvalishvili (16-4) is on a nine-fight win streak including consecutive victories over former title challenger Marlon Moraes and ex-champs Jose Aldo and Petr Yan. He does not currently have a fight booked.
The former champ’s message on Monday was tagged with UFC Boston — a possible landing spot for Sterling vs. O’Malley, Dana White revealed over the weekend. Henry Cejudo vs. Merab Dvalishvili would make a stellar co-main event.
