MMA Preview – Merab Dvalishvili vs Henry Cejudo at UFC 298
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MERAB DVALISHVILI VS HENRY CEJUDO FACTS
When is UFC 298? Sunday 18th February, 2024 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 298? Honda Center, Anaheim, California (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 298? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 298
What channel is UFC 298 on? TNT Sports 2
Where can I stream UFC 298? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
MERAB DVALISHVILI VS HENRY CEJUDO LOWDOWN
The coast is clear to the title after Sean O’Malley buried Merab Dvalishvili’s (16-4) friend and former champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292. After seven unanimous decisions in a row and TKO over Marlon Moraes (2021), he entered the title picture. He then picked up the biggest wins of his career in vintage unanimous decisions over Jose Aldo (2022) and Petr Yan (2023). Now Sterling has left the picture, Dvalishvili has his eyes set on the title and is on the cusp.
Former bantamweight and flyweight champion Henry Cejudo (16-3) stands in his way. After vacating the titles in 2020, he retired and came back last year planning to snatch his belt back from Sterling. However, he met his wrestling match and was on the receiving end of an exceptional performance by the champ getting outpointed in a split decision.
MERAB DVALISHVILI VS HENRY CEJUDO PREDICTION
Going five rounds with Sterling is the perfect preparation for Dvalishvili. Very few fighters have an answer for the Georgian’s pressure, but the Olympic wrestler will be better prepared after battling his teammate.
He knows he is a superior striker and more technical wrestler, so he will have to leverage his skill to combat the size, power and endless cardio. Dvalishvili is the favourite after seeing how well Sterling wrestled with Cejudo.
He is expected to smother Cejudo and spend a lot of time in the clinch attempting to drag him down to the canvas. For 15 minutes, the Georgian’s pace will be relentless throwing unorthodox punches to close the distance.
Cejudo needs to fall back on his karate style to stay light on his feet and bounce in and out of range to counter. He is a better striker and has a wrestling background, but we have not seen anything in recent years to suggest he has the tools to fend off the the bigger, more powerful machine.
Cejudo is worth a punt as he became a double champ for a reason and we can see him finding a way to clip the chin like he did to TJ Dillashaw and Dominick Cruz, but this is possibly the worst match-up in the division for him.
Prediction: Dvalishvili via Decision
Value bet: Cejudo to win
