​Real American Freestyle often finds itself in chaos, with brawls erupting at events that typically involve UFC fighters. The latest installment, RAF Georgia, is scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, July 11, 2026) in Tbilisi, Georgia, and features a headline matchup that pits former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili against a legacy opponent: former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo. The atmosphere around the event has already grown heated, sparked by a tense pre-fight press conference where Umar Nurmagomedov’s friends confronted Dvalishvili over various comments he has made about Nurmagomedov.
The two fighters previously met in January 2025, a bout that ended with Dvalishvili earning a unanimous decision by scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46. Since that fight, Nurmagomedov supporters have argued that Nurmagomedov was hampered by a badly broken hand, preventing him from showing his full capability. This has fueled talk of a rematch, though Dvalishvili has shown little interest in revisiting the feud, at least not while an immediate rematch with current champion Petr Yan looms in front of him.
During the pre-fight media obligations, Dvalishvili was asked whether he would be willing to wrestle Umar Nurmagomedov in RAF, and his response was blunt. “No, never, f—k that guy,” he stated. “Whoever RAF chooses, I’ll fight. Except this spoiled guy.” The heat from those remarks spilled over, with some of Nurmagomedov’s teammates and fans reacting angrily, and a scuffle erupting as tensions overflowed.
Dvalishvili has consistently argued that Umar Nurmagomedov has benefited from riding his last name rather than earning opportunities on merit, asserting that Umar never deserved a shot with him in the first place. That stance has intensified the rivalry between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov, extending beyond the two fighters to the factions around them. Ironically, this ongoing feud has only amplified the desire from fans to see a second confrontation between the two.
As RAF Georgia approaches, the dynamic between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov remains the focal point of attention for both observers and promoters. The ongoing tension—paired with the high-stakes headlines and the ever-present potential for on-site confrontations—continues to shape the promotional narrative around the event. For fans seeking a compelling backstory and a potential encore to a closely contested 2025 contest, the narrative surrounding Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov adds a combustible layer to an already charged atmosphere as RAF Georgia readies to deliver its latest chapter in the Real American Freestyle saga.