Mixed martial arts fighter Henry Cejudo seems to have reached a decision regarding the future of his fighting career. Following a comeback fight after a three-year layoff, Cejudo fought and lost a split decision to reigning bantamweight titleholder Aljamain Sterling.

While Cejudo did not commit to retiring or competing further immediately after the fight, he is not going into retirement and is, in fact, targeting a fight with top bantamweight contender and Sterling’s close friend and training partner Merab Dvalishvili.

If Cejudo wins the rumored matchup, he would put himself back in the running for a title shot, a status he received despite retiring in 2020 after being a two-division champion. During his previous stint with the promotion, Cejudo held UFC gold at bantamweight and flyweight and earned victories against many renowned names in the sport, such as Dominick Cruz, Demetrious Johnson, T.J. Dillashaw, Marlon Moraes, and Sergio Pettis.

Cejudo’s potential opponent, Dvalishvili, is said to have a chance at the title and is on a nine-fight winning streak, the longest stretch in the division, alongside Sterling. However, Sterline and Dvalishvili have made promises not to fight each other, complicating his career arc.

Over the weekend, Dvalishvili even came to Sterling’s defense when presumed No. 1 contender Sean O’Malley stepped into the ring to face off with Sterling, with Dvalishvili taking O’Malley’s jacket and nearly starting a fight.