Anaheim, CA – UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili knows it’s all on the line for Henry Cejudo when they face off at UFC 298 on Saturday night.
Cejudo had said earlier in the day that a win over Dvalishvili would propel him to a title fight at 145 pounds. A loss to the #2 ranked bantamweight could spell the end of the former champ-champ’s career.
“He is right. He talks from the facts. If he beats me of course he will fight for the title because he was champion,” Dvalishvili told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“If he (loses) of course he’s not going to just keep (fighting) then get again the #1 contender fight. It takes time. Now he has a family, he has money, I don’t think he just want to fight. He wants only gold. Either everything or nothing for him.”
Dvalishvili believes Cejudo is still dangerous regardless of what many may see as a former champion with one foot out the door.
“A fight against Henry every round will be very hard for me. Three-round fight Henry will be dangerous. It keeps him dangerous. I think he’s mentally strong. He knows he has to beat me otherwise he’s done,” Dvalishvili said.
Cejudo’s main weapon is his wrestling and Dvalishvili isn’t delusional enough to believe he will outwrestle the Olympic gold medalist in a 15 minute fight.
“I’m not focused (on) this because it’s a fight. He is better wrestler than me. He is Olympic gold. I’m sure if we’re wrestling he will beat me in wrestling rules,” he said.
“But in MMA I think I will do very well against him. It’s a fight it’s totally different game. It’s not wrestling tournament. We understand he has gold medal, but in MMA all I want to do is just win. Even if I have to just (kick him) all day. I will do that.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Merab Dvalishvili above. He takes on Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 on Saturday night.
