SUPER FIGHT! Former UFC champions face off in April outside of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Merab Dvalishvili won Cory Sandhagen No. UFC 320Photo: UFC News / Twitter

While the UFC maintains its success in the world of MMA, Real American Freestyle (RAF) is emerging as an increasingly attractive organization. Founded last year, the American promoter has been holding wrestling events featuring big names from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, both former and current champions. In another announcement for April, the company confirmed a duel between two athletes who have made their name in the octagon.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the young company revealed that a lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) fight between Merab Dvalishvili, former bantamweight champion (up to 61,2 kg), and Henry Cejudo, former title holder in the flyweight (up to 56,7 kg) and bantamweight categories, is scheduled to fight at RAF 08 on April 18th at The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia (USA).

🚨BREAKING: Merab Dvalishvili vs Henry Cejudo is set for RAF 08 on April 18

(via @RAFWrestlingUSA) pic.twitter.com/YBdN0wSBtw

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 1, 2026

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Before RAF 08, which will feature the main fight between Dvalishvili and Cejudo, RAF 06, held last Saturday (28), also featured the former two-time Ultimate champion in a confrontation against Urijah faber, UFC Hall of Famer. 'Triple C' prevailed due to technical superiority (11-0).

Triple C for the win 👏 pic.twitter.com/Wn0R1TD7Yt

— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA) March 1, 2026

Merab Dvalishvili's MMA numbers

Merab Dvalishvili finishes Sean O'Malley in UFC 316. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC News

PUBLICITY:

Merab Dvalishvili He has a record of 21 wins and five losses in his professional MMA career. A former bantamweight champion, the 35-year-old has been in the UFC since December 2017, when he debuted with a split decision loss to Frankie Saenz. Currently, the fighter is ranked seventh in the organization's pound-for-pound rankings and is also ranked first in the bantamweight division.

Henry Cejudo's MMA numbers

Henry Cejudo in presentation at UFC 298. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter

PUBLICITY:

Henry CejudoRetired from MMA since December 6, 2025, he built a successful career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The American won the belt in the flyweight and bantamweight divisions over just over ten years in the organization. The athlete debuted in the UFC in December 2014, defeating Dustin Kimura by unanimous decision. Throughout his career, 'Triple C' recorded 16 wins and six losses.