Henry Cejudo has pulled out of his scheduled bout against Merab Dvalishvili that was set to headline RAF 08 in Philadelphia tonight. The withdrawal is due to an injury, though specific details about the injury are not provided. The new main event will feature Arman Tsarukyan versus Urijah Faber. This represents a significant change to the RAF 08 card on short notice. The organization is Real American Freestyle.
Henry Cejudo has withdrawn from his scheduled headliner against Merab Dvalishvili at Real American Freestyle 08 in Philadelphia, pulling out on the day of the event due to an undisclosed injury. Arman Tsarukyan and Urijah Faber will now serve as the new main event.
Cejudo, 39, holds a 16-6 record and currently sits ranked ninth in the bantamweight division. The American wrestler-turned-striker out of Fight Ready carries a striking accuracy of 47 percent and averages 3.82 significant strikes per minute, with 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes reflecting the wrestling pedigree that defined his career.
Dvalishvili, nicknamed "The Machine," entered the bout as the number-one ranked bantamweight and sits second in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 35-year-old Georgian represents one of the most relentless pressers in the sport, averaging a remarkable 6.4 takedown attempts per 15 minutes and 4.33 significant strikes landed per minute. His 21-5 record cements him as a legitimate championship threat, making Cejudo's withdrawal a significant blow to what had been a marquee matchup.
Stepping into the main event slot, Urijah Faber brings a storied 35-11 record into the cage at age 47. The California-based veteran trains out of Team Alpha Male and averages 1.54 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 0.8 submission attempts, a reminder of the grappling versatility that made him a fan favorite across a long career.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili loses a high-profile opponent that could have had significant bantamweight title implications
- Cejudo's injury clouds his status at 135 pounds, where he was already working to re-establish himself ranked ninth
- The replacement main event shifts focus to Faber, whose participation at 47 years old draws its own considerable attention
