Henry Cejudo has pulled out of his scheduled fight against Merab Dvalishvili, which was set to headline RAF 8 in Philadelphia tonight. The withdrawal is due to an injury, though specific details about the nature of the injury were not disclosed. Arman Tsarukyan versus Urijah Faber has been elevated to serve as the new main event for the card. The cancellation represents a significant change to the promotion's plans for the event. No timeline has been provided for when Cejudo might be able to reschedule the matchup with Dvalishvili.
Henry Cejudo has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled bantamweight bout against Merab Dvalishvili, which was set to headline RAF 8 in Philadelphia on April 18. An injury is cited as the reason for the pullout, though no details about the nature or severity of the injury have been disclosed. No timeline has been given for a potential rescheduling of the matchup.
Cejudo, 39, carries a 16-6 record and holds the number nine ranking in the bantamweight division. The former champion, known as Triple C, is an orthodox fighter standing five-foot-four with a 64-inch reach. He averages 3.82 significant strikes per minute with a 47 percent striking accuracy and adds 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes to his offensive output.
Dvalishvili, ranked first in the bantamweight division and second in the pound-for-pound standings, entered the fight as one of the sport's most active grapplers. The 35-year-old Georgian, representing Serra-Longo Fight Team, holds a 21-5 record and posts a remarkable 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most relentless wrestlers in the sport at any weight class.
With the original main event scrapped, the promotion elevated Arman Tsarukyan versus Urijah Faber to headline the card. Faber, 47, is a veteran fighter with a 35-11 record who trains out of Team Alpha Male. Standing five-foot-six with a 67-inch reach, the California Kid averages 2.65 significant strikes per minute and attempts 0.8 submissions per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili, the top-ranked bantamweight, loses a high-profile matchup with no confirmed replacement opponent or date
- Cejudo's path back into divisional contention at 135 pounds is now on hold with no injury timeline provided
- The card's headline bout shifts to Tsarukyan versus the 47-year-old Faber, a notable change in competitive stakes for RAF 8
