Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo has pulled out of his scheduled bout against Merab Dvalishvili. No specific reason for the withdrawal was provided in the announcement. The post does not mention when the fight was scheduled to take place or whether a replacement opponent will be sought. This development leaves Dvalishvili without an opponent for the time being. Further details about the withdrawal remain limited at this time.
Henry Cejudo has withdrawn from his scheduled bantamweight bout against Merab Dvalishvili, according to an announcement made on April 18, 2026. No reason was given for the pullout, and no replacement opponent has been named.
Cejudo, known as "Triple C," holds a 16-6 record and is ranked ninth in the UFC bantamweight division. The 39-year-old American, who trains out of Fight Ready, stands five-foot-four with a 64-inch reach. He averages 3.82 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy and contributes 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a credible mixed threat in the 135-pound weight class.
Dvalishvili, nicknamed "The Machine," is the top-ranked bantamweight and sits second in the pound-for-pound rankings with a 21-5 record. The 35-year-old Georgian, who competes out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, stands five-foot-six with a 68-inch reach. He is one of the most relentless wrestlers in the division, averaging 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a high-volume striking output of 4.33 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili, ranked first at bantamweight and second pound-for-pound, is now without an opponent and faces an uncertain timeline back to competition.
- Cejudo's withdrawal at 39, with no explanation offered, raises questions about his status and availability in the division.
- A matchup between the ninth-ranked Cejudo and the top-ranked Dvalishvili carried significant ranking implications at 135 pounds; finding a comparable replacement will not be straightforward.
