Henry Cejudo has pulled out of his scheduled fight against Merab Dvalishvili that was set to take place tonight at RAF 08 in Philadelphia. The withdrawal is due to an injury, though specific details about the nature of the injury are not provided. The new main event will feature Arman Tsarukyan versus Urijah Faber. This represents a significant change to the event's headline attraction. The late withdrawal leaves Dvalishvili without an opponent for the evening.
Henry Cejudo has pulled out of his bantamweight clash with Merab Dvalishvili that was scheduled to headline RAF 08 in Philadelphia on April 18, citing an injury. No details on the specific nature of the injury have been disclosed. As a result, Dvalishvili will not compete on the card, and the main event slot has been filled by Arman Tsarukyan versus Urijah Faber.
Cejudo, 39, carries a 16-6 record and is ranked ninth in the bantamweight division. The American wrestler out of Fight Ready lands 3.82 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy and adds 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a multi-dimensional threat at five-foot-four with a 64-inch reach.
Dvalishvili is left without an opponent and absorbs the bigger blow in terms of competitive stakes. The Georgian standout from Serra-Longo Fight Team holds a 21-5 record, ranks first in the bantamweight division, and sits second in the pound-for-pound rankings at age 35. Known for relentless pressure and elite wrestling, he averages an eye-catching 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes and 4.33 significant strikes per minute.
Faber, a 47-year-old veteran with a 35-11 record, steps into the elevated main event role alongside Tsarukyan. The California Kid represents Team Alpha Male and brings 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes to go with 1.54 takedowns per 15 minutes across a lengthy career.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili, the top-ranked bantamweight and number-two pound-for-pound fighter, loses a high-profile opportunity to compete on short notice
- Cejudo's injury further complicates the already congested bantamweight title picture
- The late change significantly reshapes the competitive significance of the Philadelphia card
- Faber and Tsarukyan now carry the main event billing at RAF 08
