Henry Cejudo: Merab Dvalishvili my best option to get back to UFC bantamweight title

LAS VEGAS – Henry Cejudo still wants to reclaim the UFC bantamweight title, and has an idea of which matchup will get him there.

The former two-division UFC champion was set to take on Marlon Vera at UFC 292, but Cejudo (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) withdrew from the contest due to a shoulder injury. Despite just pulling out from the fight he says was never fully official, Cejudo is already actively campaigning for his next appearance when he’s healthy enough to compete – and no, Vera isn’t on his mind.

“I got a 50 percent tear on two of my tendons,” Cejudo told MMA Junkie at UFC X. “I got to get that healthy first and foremost. I was thinking about taking that fight with ‘Chito,’ which I never signed that contract. Just so all you guys know, if I do sign that contract, guys I’ve fought with sprained ankles, broken hands. I’ve done it all.

“… ‘Chito’ was about to get a beat down, man. I promise you that. He talks about he was going to fight for his life. You have no idea. When you get a competitor who’s done it all, who wants it back now – I’m f*cking dangerous right now, dude.”

Instead of trying to rebook a matchup with Vera, Cejudo has his eyes on the top contender in the division, Merab Dvalishvili, who currently holds the No. 2 spot in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie bantamweight rankings. At least Vera won’t be left in the cold, as he received a replacement opponent in Pedro Munhoz.

“I want Merab, that was my original thing,” Cejudo said. “If not, I was going to retire in the beginning, but then once they kind of brought that up to me, I’m like, f*ck. Maybe I will do it. Maybe I will fight in August. … But now, because of the way the format is, I want to wait for Merab. Merab’s my best option to get back to the title. Nobody wants to fight him either. I’m like, I’ll fight him. Give him to me.”

In his return from retirement, Cejudo jumped right back into a title fight against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288. Although it was a competitive bout, Cejudo ended up on the wrong side of a split decision. Despite the result, the goal to become champion again remains the same. Now, Cejudo has his eyes targeted on Sterling’s close friend and training partner in Dvalishvili, who has said he will fight not against his teammate for the title.

“I’m here to win my title back,” Cejudo said. “So, I want Merab. Even if it’s a five-rounder. If they want to do that, I’m up with it too. I beat him, I know that I’m ready for that five-round fight once again. I think the biggest thing too, looking back at it, I really didn’t know how to pace myself because it’s been so long.”