Henry Cejudo has pulled out of his scheduled fight against Merab Dvalishvili. The post provides no additional details about the reason for the withdrawal or when the bout was originally scheduled to take place. No information is given about a potential replacement opponent or whether the fight will be rescheduled. This withdrawal affects Cejudo's plans to continue his comeback in the UFC bantamweight division. Further details about the circumstances remain limited.
Henry Cejudo has withdrawn from his scheduled UFC bantamweight bout against Merab Dvalishvili, according to a report published April 18, 2026. No reason for the pullout has been disclosed, and there is no word yet on a replacement opponent or whether the matchup will be rebooked.
Cejudo, 39, carries a 16-6 record and sits ranked ninth in the bantamweight division. The American fighter, who trains out of Fight Ready, is an orthodox striker standing five-foot-four with a 64-inch reach. He lands 3.82 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy and averages 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes. The withdrawal is another setback for "Triple C" as he attempts to cement his place back in the 135-pound picture.
Dvalishvili, meanwhile, is among the most active and accomplished fighters in the division. The Georgian standout, who competes out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, holds a 21-5 record and is ranked first in the bantamweight division and second in the pound-for-pound rankings. At 35 years old, "The Machine" stands five-foot-six with a 68-inch reach and is known for relentless pressure, landing 4.33 significant strikes per minute while posting a remarkable 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili is the top-ranked bantamweight contender, and a fight with Cejudo carried meaningful title-picture stakes at 135 pounds.
- Cejudo, ranked ninth, needed a high-profile win to climb back toward contention; the pullout stalls that momentum.
- The style contrast — Cejudo's wrestling and striking precision against Dvalishvili's relentless volume and elite takedown rate — made this a compelling matchup that the division will want rescheduled.
- No replacement opponent for either fighter has been announced at this time.
