And new! That’s what Henry Cejudo thinks Bruce Buffer will be announcing at the end of the Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili bantamweight title fight at UFC 306.
O’Malley (18-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) and Dvalishvili (17-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) clash in the main event of the Sept. 14 card, which goes down at the Sphere in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews).
The anticipated contest marks O’Malley’s second title defense, and according to former divisional kingpin Cejudo, his last one as well – at least in this current championship reign.
“This is my prediction,” Cejudo told MMA Junkie. “Merab Dvalishvili is going to stop Sean O’Malley at the Sphere. He’s going to beat him. He’s going to either 50-45 him, maybe not 50-45 because he may lose the first two rounds or the first one at least. He’s going to beat him, but once Umar (Nurmagomedov) comes in, he’s just going to have his way with Merab. He really is. Umar is really good, really technical.”
As far as what’s next for Cejudo (16-4 MMA, 10-4), “Triple C” revealed he is debating a potential return to the flyweight division. The former two-division UFC champ is still looking to regain a belt, and he sees it as a tough road at 135 pounds.
Am I going to fight just to fight? Or am I going to chase something?” Cejudo said. “I’m after gold now, and I think if I do go down to 125 pounds and stay disciplined, I just don’t think there’s anyone in the world that beats me.”
