Henry Cejudo Loses Again At UFC Seattle; Third Straight Loss

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Post on Feb 24, 2025

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Henry Cejudo Suffers Third Straight Loss, UFC Career in Doubt After Seattle Defeat

SEATTLE, WA – Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo suffered a devastating unanimous decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 288 in Seattle on Saturday night, marking his third consecutive defeat and casting serious doubt on the future of his illustrious MMA career. The fight, a highly anticipated bantamweight clash, saw Cejudo unable to overcome Dvalishvili's relentless pressure and superior wrestling. The judges scored the bout 30-27, 30-27, and 30-26 all in favor of Dvalishvili.

This loss continues a troubling slide for Cejudo, who returned from a three-year retirement in May 2023 only to be decisively beaten by Aljamain Sterling in a title fight at UFC 288. Before that, Cejudo had amassed an impressive record, culminating in his victories over Marlon Moraes and Dominick Cruz to claim the bantamweight title in 2019, adding to his already held flyweight championship. His reign as a champion showcased incredible skill and tactical acumen, leading many to consider him one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC.

However, the recent defeats have exposed vulnerabilities in Cejudo’s game. While his striking remains potent, his wrestling defense, once a hallmark of his success, appeared significantly weaker against Dvalishvili's persistent takedowns and control. Dvalishvili relentlessly ground and pounded Cejudo throughout the fight, limiting his opportunities for offense and effectively neutralizing his striking power. Cejudo displayed moments of brilliance, landing some significant strikes, but ultimately couldn't overcome the consistent pressure and superior grappling of the Georgian fighter.

The post-fight atmosphere was one of muted celebration for Dvalishvili, who acknowledged Cejudo's legendary status but remained focused on his own continued ascent in the bantamweight division. He called out top contenders, setting his sights on a future title shot.

For Cejudo, the future remains uncertain. At 36 years old, and with three consecutive losses, the path back to title contention appears exceedingly difficult, if not impossible. While he hasn't explicitly announced his retirement, the weight of these defeats and his age are strong indicators that his time at the top of the UFC may be over. His post-fight interview was brief, offering no clear indication of his future plans, only a somber acknowledgement of his defeat. Many fans and analysts are now speculating about the possibility of a well-deserved retirement for the former Olympic gold medalist wrestler.

The loss leaves a lingering sense of what might have been. Cejudo’s career was a remarkable journey, punctuated by incredible wins and moments of dominance. However, the Seattle defeat serves as a stark reminder that even the greatest champions eventually face their twilight. The question now is whether Cejudo will choose to accept the end of his fighting career, or attempt a near-impossible comeback. Only time will tell.