Pros react after Merab Dvalishvili defeats Henry Cejudo at UFC 298

Tonight’s UFC 298 main card featured a highly anticipated men’s bantamweight bout between Henry Cejudo and Merab Dvalishvili.

Cejudo (16-4 MMA) had entered the contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a split decision loss to Aljamain Sterling in a fight for the promotion’s 135lbs strap in his most previous effort last May in New Jersey. Prior to that setback, ‘Triple C’ was on a six-fight winning streak, which included stoppage wins over Dominick Cruz, Marlon Moraes and TJ Dillashaw.

Meanwhile, Merab Dvalishvili (17-4 MMA) had entered tonight’s bout sporting a nine-fight winning streak, his most previous victory being a lopsided decision over former title holder Petr Yan. Seven of the Georgian’s last eight wins had come by way of decision.

Tonight’s ‘Cejudo vs. Dvalishvili’ proved to be a coming out party for ‘The Machine’. Although Henry Cejudo was able to rock Merab Dvalishvili in the opening round, the Georgian stormed back to dominate rounds two and three of the fight. Merab utilized his wrestling and pace to overwhelm the former champion on route to a unanimous decision win.

Official UFC 298 Results: Merab Dvalishvili def. Henry Cejudo by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Cejudo vs. Dvalishvili’ below:

#UFC298 🍿

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) February 18, 2024

LEZZZ GOOO @HenryCejudo

Who you guys got?

— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) February 18, 2024

This is gonna be a good scrap but please stop retiring and just compete with the rest of the division

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) February 18, 2024

Why Henry always doing that jaw thing like he off the molly lmfao 🤣

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) February 18, 2024

Good back-and-forth so far. But Cejudo landed the most significant shot of the round. 10-9 Cejudo #UFC298

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) February 18, 2024

Triple C ending strong!! 1-0 – Cejudo #UFC298

— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) February 18, 2024

Cejudo first round!
#298 @ufc @UFCEspanol

— Tracy Cortez’s ERA (@TracyCortezmma) February 18, 2024

Merabs judo is really good #ufc298

— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) February 18, 2024

The pace has been set!!

— Kai Kamaka III (@kaiboikamaka) February 18, 2024

1-1

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) February 18, 2024

All tied up 19-19 going into 3rd! #UFC298

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) February 18, 2024

Post-fight reactions to Merab Dvalishvili defeating Henry Cejudo at UFC 298:

I made the parlay multiple times with different picks on each lol, Merab is taking it for this first fight on the card and a couple of my parlays are still valid lol

— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) February 18, 2024

Merab represented the Mexican so well lfg 🫡

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) February 18, 2024

Nothing but a shot at gold next!!!

— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) February 18, 2024

If this is it for Cejudo, it’s been a great one my friend. #HOF 👏🏼 #UFC298

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) February 18, 2024

Who would you like to see Merab Dvalishvili fight next following his victory over Henry Cejudo this evening in California?