March 13, 2023 1:00 pm ET
Henry Cejudo wasn’t too impressed with Merab Dvalishvili’s dominant win over Petr Yan at UFC Combat Evening 221.
Dvalishvili (16-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) tried a UFC document 49 takedowns en path to a shutout unanimous decision win this previous Saturday at The Theater at Virgin Inns in Las Vegas. Though Cejudo predicted that outcome, he vows that Dvalishvili wouldn’t have any such success towards him.
Cejudo (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) challenges Dvalishvili’s coaching accomplice, bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, at UFC 288 on Might 6. He sees Sterling as a extra stern problem.
“For my struggle with Sterling, I’ve a sense he’s gonna struggle the way in which he fought Pedro Munhoz. I’m anticipating that,” Cejudo stated on his YouTube channel. “Actual excessive tempo, actual quantity, loads of motion, loads of lateral stuff, however he might additionally are available and simply wing.
“These guys are the identical fighters on a regular basis. Aljamain, he simply flows together with his combating, he’s a freestyler. This man (Dvalishvili), you realize he’s gonna press, you realize he’s gonna do all this to shoot. For this reason a man like Merab can be straightforward cash. I’d harm that dude. I’d let him in on my legs, make him carry my weight, after which take him down.” Cejudo thinks he might find yourself combating Dvalishvili ahead of anticipated. “Triple C” continues to be satisfied that Sterling received’t make it to their struggle and desires Dvalishvili because the backup.
“Expensive Dana White, I’m over right here watching the No. 2 and No. 3 contenders, and I’ve obtained a sense that (Aljamain) is extra prone to again out of this struggle,” Cejudo stated on Twitter. “In order that being stated, why don’t you give me Merab? Give me Merab since Sean O’Malley needs to attend. He needs to take his time. Why we don’t make Merab the backup at UFC 288. Why don’t we do it that manner?
“That manner it’s each of those coaching companions, as a result of I’ve a sense Aljamain goes to finally again out, however I need to be certain that. It’s going to be the identical recreation plan from each of those chumps: wrestle, strike, each time they toss something heavy, they go in for takedowns. Anyway, Dana White, in the event you’re listening to me, let’s have Merab as a backup, Newark, N.J., UFC 288, as a result of I need each of them. If I can struggle each of them the identical night time, they’ll each get it.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Fight Night 221.
