Merab Dvalishvili has given his two cents on why he lost his RAF rematch against former UFC double champ Henry Cejudo.
This past weekend at RAF 12, “Triple C” returned to the mats to run it back with “The Machine.” As the bout began, Cejudo flipped Dvalishvili, scored a quick takedown, and then squeezed Dvalishvili to secure a pinfall in just 36 seconds.
With the victory, Cejudo not only avenged his previous RAF Georgia defeat to Dvalishvili but also captured the inaugural Real American Freestyle Lightweight Crossover title.
Earlier today, during an interview with Ariel Helwani, Dvalishvili confessed that he didn’t have enough time to properly train for this RAF rematch. He said:
“It was risky since I beat him [Henry Cejudo] in wrestling… I knew he was preparing something. I know he was gonna study me, and I don’t have time to really train for wrestling like this. I’m focused for my fight always.”
“If I have a wrestling match in RAF, I usually [prepare for] about week, as a second training, but yeah, I lost this match. I was smiling. I was happy for him.” [h/t: Ariel Helwani]
Check out Merab Dvalishvili’s comments below:
Dvalishvili wants to run it back with “Triple C” for a third time to complete the trilogy, but for now, he has his UFC duties to take care of.
When did Merab Dvalishvili not have time to prepare for the RAF Henry Cejudo rematch?
Merab Dvalishvili will return to the octagon at UFC 333 to run it back with current and two-time bantamweight champion Petr Yan, who dethroned him last year at UFC 323.
Preparations for this title rematch kept the 35-year-old busy; therefore, before his second RAF assignment against Henry Cejudo, he didn’t have enough time to get ready.
2025 was a busy year for Merab Dvalishvili, and trying to defend his belt 4 times in a year to break records took a toll on his health, performance, and preparations. He ultimately lost the strap after a brutal five-round war with Yan.
This time, after nearly 10 months of rest, “The Machine” is coming to reclaim his belt, and he plans to return to being an active champion, as he has always done.
