Henry Cejudo has pulled out of his scheduled bout against Merab Dvalishvili. The post provides no additional details about the reason for the withdrawal or whether a replacement opponent will be sought. No information is given about which event the fight was scheduled for or the timeline of the withdrawal. Further details about the circumstances remain limited at this time.
Henry Cejudo has withdrawn from his scheduled bantamweight bout against Merab Dvalishvili, according to a report published April 18. No reason for the pullout has been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether a replacement opponent will be sought or how the affected event will be impacted.
Cejudo, 39, holds a professional record of 16-6 and is currently ranked ninth in the bantamweight division. The American wrestler-turned-striker out of Fight Ready carries a reputation built on elite grappling and sharp combination work, averaging 3.82 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy, along with 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes. Known as "Triple C," the orthodox fighter stands five-foot-four with a 64-inch reach.
Dvalishvili, meanwhile, sits at the top of the division as the number-one ranked bantamweight and the number-two pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. The Georgian fighter, known as "The Machine," carries a record of 21-5 and competes out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team. At 35, he is one of the most relentless wrestlers in the sport, averaging a remarkable 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes to go alongside 4.33 significant strikes per minute. He stands five-foot-six with a 68-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili's position as the top-ranked bantamweight means any disruption to his schedule has significant title picture implications.
- Cejudo's withdrawal leaves the number-nine-ranked contender's next steps uncertain.
- The matchup would have been a compelling clash of wrestling-heavy styles, with Dvalishvili's volume and takedown output posing a steep challenge for any opponent.
