​Merab Dvalishvili may not come from a wrestling background, but he just delivered a stunning victory by beating Olympic champion Henry Cejudo in the RAF Georgia main event after pulling off a miraculous comeback. Early on, it looked like Dvalishvili might not even reach the second period when Cejudo seized control with a takedown and a series of turns that propelled him to an 8-0 lead in rapid fashion. Yet Dvalishvili remained undeterred, not only surviving but turning up the heat with relentless aggression and relentless pressure on the mats.
That newfound bite sparked a sequence of takedowns as Dvalishvili outworked Cejudo on the canvas, and he finally climbed back onto the scoreboard, moving to an 11-8 lead as the final horn sounded to end the match. It was a remarkable comeback and a sensational performance from the former UFC champion, who managed to defeat Cejudo in only his second freestyle bout since joining the RAF roster. “I’m so happy,” Dvalishvili said after the win. “I make my people proud. Thank God I win tonight… Henry’s an Olympic champion. I think next match I can do with him in judo. Next, you won’t be surprised, I love UFC, I love fighting. Petr Yan, come back, bro. What the heck? There’s something wrong with him.”
Right at the opening bell, Dvalishvili drew a warning for slapping at Cejudo’s head as the two jockeyed for position. Moments later, Cejudo shot in quickly for a takedown and immediately secured a gut-wrench ride, turning Dvalishvili to rack up more points. Down 7-0 in the first period, Dvalishvili had a lot of ground to cover and even lost another point before finally scoring his own takedown to get on the board.
The match restarted with Dvalishvili seeking more offense, but Cejudo thwarted several attempts, and the referee then put Dvalishvili on the shot clock for a lack of activity. A single-leg takedown by Dvalishvili yielded two more points, underscoring that Cejudo’s pace from the first period had begun to fade. With two minutes remaining, Dvalishvili launched a decisive flurry, placing Cejudo on his back for a brilliant four-point move that shifted the balance and delivered the lead.
The Georgian crowd erupted as Dvalishvili exploded once more for a takedown, moving ahead 11-8 with Cejudo clinging to survival. A late reversal of a Cejudo takedown attempt allowed Dvalishvili to clamp down and celebrate with the home crowd as the match ended. This victory, already notable for Dvalishvili’s triumph over Cejudo in the UFC, represented a monumental upset on Saturday and underscored his remarkable development in freestyle wrestling.
Now the question becomes what’s next for Dvalishvili, who will likely have to navigate the waiting period as he hopes reigning UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan recovers so they can finally book the anticipated trilogy before the end of 2026. The win over Cejudo has heightened expectations for what could come next, including potential rematches and further steps in Dvalishvili’s evolving combat career. Whether in the RAF arena or back in the UFC octagon, Dvalishvili’s birthday of a comeback—proving that wrestling prowess can be cultivated outside traditional paths—has captivated fans and added a new chapter to his already compelling story.