Henry Cejudo has pulled out of his scheduled bout against Merab Dvalishvili. No further details about the reason for the withdrawal or the affected event are provided in the announcement. The circumstances surrounding the cancellation and whether a replacement opponent will be sought remain unclear at this time. This represents a setback for what was anticipated to be a significant bantamweight matchup.
Henry Cejudo has withdrawn from his scheduled bantamweight bout against Merab Dvalishvili, according to an announcement on April 18, 2026. No reason for the pullout has been given, and it remains unclear whether a replacement opponent will be sought or how the affected event will be impacted.
Cejudo, 39, carries a 16-6 record and holds the number nine ranking in the bantamweight division. The American fighter, who trains out of Fight Ready, is known by the nickname "Triple C" and operates out of an orthodox stance. Standing five-foot-four with a 64-inch reach, he averages 3.82 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy and adds 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes to his offensive output.
Dvalishvili enters the picture as the number one ranked bantamweight in the UFC and the number two fighter in the pound-for-pound rankings. The Georgian fighter, nicknamed "The Machine," holds a 21-5 record and trains with the Serra-Longo Fight Team. At 35 years old, the five-foot-six Dvalishvili boasts a 68-inch reach and one of the most relentless wrestling-based styles in the division, averaging 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 4.33 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili is the top-ranked bantamweight contender, so losing this opponent stalls a potentially title-relevant matchup
- Cejudo's withdrawal leaves the number nine ranked fighter's schedule uncertain at 39 years old
- The pairing represented a contrast in styles, with Dvalishvili's elite wrestling volume against Cejudo's more balanced striking and grappling approach
- No replacement opponent has been announced, leaving the event's bantamweight card in question
