Former rival launches surprise defense for Henry Cejudo after UFC Seattle eyejab

Current UFC bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili gives Henry Cejudo improbable post-UFC Seattle endorsement after eye poke controversy.

Former rival launches surprise defense for Henry Cejudo after UFC Seattle eyejab

Merab Dvalishvili offers unlikely support to Henry Cejudo after UFC Seattle eye poke (Source: IMAGO/X)

Former double-division champion, Henry Cejudo, dropped a technical decision to Song Yadong in the UFC Seattle headliner. The controversial ending to the main event, credit to an eye poke, has opened the floodgates. However, Cejudo finds and unlikely ally in Merab Dvalishvili of all people.

Henry Cejudo’s three-fight loss streak is the current longest of his career. He hasn’t had a win since May 2020. A UFC 298 PPV wrestle-heavy wipeout from Merab Dvalishvili will be one to remember; more than UFC Seattle. The Georgian fighter embarrassed Triple C inside the octagon. Hence, he really spat it at 2008 Summer Olympics gold medalist Cejudo. However, “Machine” comes to his defense after UFC Seattle.

I know that it’s unfortunate that he got eye poked, you know, he said that he wasn’t able to see, and I understand man…I mean, I don’t understand why people are fighting like this… [fingers] – when you’re fighting, you have to f—–ng make a fist…I know the UFC gloves are b***—– but you have to still do this [makes fist]…

Merab Dvalishvili said (🎥: @merab.dvalishvili on Instagram Stories)
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Dvalishvili defeated ‘Triple C’ in February 2024; he got to be bantamweight champion at UFC 306, a few months later. As such, Merab Dvalishvili owes it to his 10-fight streak and a win over Cejudo for a crack at gold. Meanwhile, the latter also recently touted Dvalishvili as the bantamweight GOAT, right after UFC 311 PPV co-main event.

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Even in their skill-to-skill rivalry, the duo have grown a sort of camaraderie. Subsequently, given how much controversy Cejudo has courted, he needs all the support he can muster. Many fans and analysts are calling for his retirement. Others, in not so mild terms, are calling him washed. One particular person though, goes out even a step further.

Chael Sonnen thinks Henry Cejudo wasn’t ‘willing to walk through fire’ after eye poke

The UFC Seattle event headliner ended as controversially and imaginable. During Saturday’s main event at Climate Pledge Arena, an eye poke rendered Cejudo unable to fight. Triple C called for a point deduction, took 5 whole minutes, and still couldn’t get back to it.

Henry Cejudo accused of giving up at UFC Seattle headliner
Henry Cejudo accused of giving up at UFC Seattle headliner (Source: X)

Referee Jason Herzog waved off the bout due to the mid-Round 3 eye-poke. However, perhaps aligning to the thought that he was lingering for keeps, he let it go to the scorecard. He opened up Round 4 and closed it just as soon; Cejudo was behind on all three judges’ cards.

Some bill that Yadong should have had points deducted. Others say Henry Cejudo was gaming it, thinking he was ahead. ‘Bad Guy’ Chael Sonnen is also asking the tough questions no one else would. Sonnen wonders if Henry Cejudo was scouting a way out at UFC Seattle.

I’m essentially accusing possibly the greatest combat athlete — of all time of cheating — of faking, …hat is just so unlike Henry. I mean, truly so unlike Henry in the way that he did play it. This is a guy who has walked through fire many times…It didn’t seem like he was willing to walk through fire this night. That was not like the Henry Cejudo that I’ve seen in the past. As fair as I can say it.

Chael Soneen on “Good Guy/Bad Guy” podcast
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Chael Sonnen also remined Triple C of his worst decision as well. ‘Bad Guy’ believes Cejudo made a huge mistake when he retired in May 2020. Cejudo retired after retaining his 135-pound title strap against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249. He was never quite the same. Now, “Triple C” is now past his physical prime and further away from a title shot.

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