Henry Cejudo withdraws from fight against Merab Dvalishvili

Henry Cejudo has withdrawn from his scheduled bantamweight bout against Merab Dvalishvili, according to a report dated April 18, 2026. No reason for the pullout has been disclosed, and no replacement opponent or rescheduled date has been announced.

Cejudo, 39, holds a 16-6 record and is ranked ninth in the bantamweight division. The American wrestler and former two-division champion fights out of Fight Ready and brings an orthodox stance to the cage. Known for his well-rounded skill set, he averages 3.82 significant strikes per minute with a 47 percent striking accuracy, and adds consistent wrestling pressure at 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Dvalishvili, meanwhile, is coming off the back of an outstanding run that has placed him first in the bantamweight rankings and second in the pound-for-pound standings. The 35-year-old Georgian, who trains at Serra-Longo Fight Team, carries a 21-5 record and is one of the most relentless wrestlers in the division. He averages a remarkable 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes and pours on volume at 4.33 significant strikes per minute, making him a punishing opponent for anyone he faces.

Why it matters

• Dvalishvili is the top-ranked bantamweight contender, so any disruption to his next scheduled fight has direct title-picture implications.
• Cejudo, ranked ninth, would have faced enormous pressure as a significant underdog on paper, given the gap in current divisional standing.
• With no replacement or rescheduling confirmed, the timeline for Dvalishvili's next appearance remains unclear, potentially stalling the 135-pound division's contender picture.
• The circumstances surrounding the withdrawal have not been made public, leaving key questions unanswered.