Henry Cejudo has pulled out of his scheduled bout against Merab Dvalishvili. The post does not specify the reason for the withdrawal or which event the fight was scheduled for. No further details about a replacement opponent or rescheduling were provided. This represents a significant development as both fighters are ranked contenders in the bantamweight division.
Henry Cejudo has withdrawn from his scheduled bantamweight bout against Merab Dvalishvili, according to a report published April 18, 2026. No reason for the pullout was given, and no replacement opponent or rescheduled date has been announced.
Cejudo, known as "Triple C," holds a 16-6 record and is currently ranked ninth in the bantamweight division. The 39-year-old American trains out of Fight Ready and brings an orthodox stance along with a well-rounded game built on his decorated wrestling base. He averages 3.82 significant strikes per minute with 47 percent accuracy, and adds 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes to his offensive arsenal.
Dvalishvili, nicknamed "The Machine," enters as the division's top-ranked contender and sits second in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 35-year-old Georgian out of Serra-Longo Fight Team carries a 21-5 record and is one of the most relentless wrestlers in the sport, averaging a remarkable 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes. He also presses a high output on the feet at 4.33 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili is the No. 1 bantamweight contender, so any opponent change reshapes the division's near-term title picture.
- Cejudo's withdrawal leaves the No. 9-ranked fighter without a scheduled bout and raises questions about his timeline at 39.
- The stylistic matchup — Dvalishvili's relentless grappling pressure against Cejudo's decorated wrestling credentials — had significant competitive stakes that now go unresolved.
- No replacement or rescheduling has been confirmed, leaving Dvalishvili's path forward uncertain.
