A new bantamweight title contender could be crowned when ex-champion Henry Cejudo faces Merab Dvalishvili in a featured bout at UFC 298 on Feb. 17 in Anaheim, Calif.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed the news to MMA Fighting on Sunday after Cejudo initially announced the matchup on his YouTube channel.
“This fight’s going to decide who’s actually going to fight eventually the winner of Chito Vera versus Sean O’Malley,” Cejudo said. “I’m excited. I’m not sure if we’re going to co-headline this fight with Ilia Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski but either way this fight is absolutely going to be bonkers.”
Cejudo will make his second appearance in the UFC since returning from retirement but he’ll still be looking for his first win after dropping a decision to Aljamain Sterling in a title fight back in May. The former two-division UFC champion hopes to return to title contention if he can get through Dvalishvili in February.
As for Dvalishvili, he’ll seek his 10th consecutive win in a row when he clashes with Cejudo. The Georgian born bantamweight hoped he would already get a title shot after dominating former champion Petr Yan in his last outing but the UFC opted to book Sean O’Malley against Marlon “Chito” Vera instead with that matchup set for UFC 299 in March.
Now Dvailishvili hopes to add another former champion to his resume when he faces Cejudo in early 2024.
“I give him respect and I give all my opponents respect, especially Henry Cejudo,” Dvailishvili said when addressing the matchup during the UFC Vegas 83 post fight show. “He’s the greatest champion, he was after [Aljamain Sterling] beat him. I’m excited. This is going to be a big test for me. Even if I feel I don’t need the test anymore.
“I have a nine fight win streak and I beat whoever they give me, whoever they put in front of me. I think I deserve to fight for a title fight but they give me another test in Henry Cejudo. I’m thankful. I have to do my best. I have to beat him and I have to earn it again, the title fight, and hopefully this time I will fight for the title and whoever will be the winner of Chito Vera and Sean O’Malley I will fight next.”
Cejudo vs. Dvalishvili joins a growing UFC 298 lineup with featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski defending his title against Ilia Topuria in the main event.