Cejudo Set For Pro Boxing Debut After UFC Exit

Henry Cejudo will make his professional boxing debut next month against streamer Nurideen Shabazz, five weeks after a scheduled wrestling rematch with Merab Dvalishvili.

Misfits Boxing announced the matchup Tuesday, confirming the former two-division UFC champion will face Shabazz on Sept. 26 in Miami. The event streams live on DAZN Boxing, per Sherdog.

Cejudo is scheduled to wrestle Dvalishvili at Real American Freestyle 12 on Aug. 22 in Cleveland. The Olympic gold medalist turned to wrestling after retiring from MMA for a second time in December, following a loss to Payton Talbott. He beat Urijah Faber at RAF 6 in February before dropping the first Dvalishvili bout at RAF Georgia in July.

Shabazz Returns After December Loss

Shabazz made his Misfits debut in 2022 and has competed primarily in exhibition bouts since. The 25-year-old lost a unanimous decision to Amado Vargas at Misfits Mania in December.

Cejudo, 39, will have five weeks to prepare for his boxing debut if he emerges from the Dvalishvili rematch without injury. The bout marks his third combat sport after accruing titles in wrestling and mixed martial arts.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Former 2-division UFC champ Henry Cejudo set for pro boxing debut