Merab Dvalishvili eyes Henry Cejudo wrestling trilogy after Petr Yan title fight

Dvalishvili wants a third Real American Freestyle match with Cejudo, who beat him in 36 seconds in August, but must first face Yan for the UFC bantamweight title in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Thu 22 Oct, 03:08 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Merab Dvalishvili wants a third Real American Freestyle wrestling match with Henry Cejudo once his trilogy with Petr Yan is settled at UFC 333 this Saturday, 24 October.

The Georgian challenges Yan for the bantamweight title at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, in the bout before Alexander Volkanovski defends the featherweight title against Movsar Evloev in the main event. Yan ended Dvalishvili's reign at UFC 323 in December, leaving their series level, and the Russian now aims to cement his second spell as champion.

Since that defeat, Dvalishvili has wrestled three times for Real American Freestyle, twice against Cejudo, whom he had already beaten in the UFC more than two years ago. Dvalishvili won the first of those matches before Cejudo beat him in 36 seconds in August, so that rivalry is also tied at one win apiece.

Asked at UFC 333 media day whether he wanted to face Cejudo for a third time, Dvalishvili said: “Yes, why not?” He added that he would like a trilogy with Cejudo and that Abu Dhabi would be a great place to stage it.

Reflecting on the August defeat, he said: “What was the difference (in the second match)? I got caught, like you can get caught in fighting.” He went on: “He did a good job. That’s part of the sport… Third time will be different.”