Dvalishvili vs. Cejudo Headlines RAF 12 in Cleveland

Merab Dvalishvili and Henry Cejudo are set to meet on the mats when RAF 12 comes to Cleveland on August 21, 2026, with the two veterans headlining the event in a grappling rematch that continues an ongoing rivalry between them.

Dvalishvili, known as "The Machine," enters the contest as one of the most decorated grapplers in combat sports today. The 35-year-old Georgian carries a 21-5-0 professional record and currently sits ranked first in the bantamweight division, as well as second in the pound-for-pound rankings. Training out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team, he stands five-foot-six with a 68-inch reach and is renowned for his relentless wrestling pressure, averaging 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. He also generates an impressive 4.33 significant strikes per minute, making him dangerous even on the feet.

Cejudo, nicknamed "Triple C," brings a 16-6-0 record into the matchup. The 39-year-old American, who trains with Fight Ready, stands five-foot-four with a 64-inch reach. A decorated combat sports figure, he averages 3.82 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy and contributes 1.84 takedowns per 15 minutes in his mixed martial arts career. On the submission grappling mats, the dynamic shifts somewhat from his MMA context, but his technical wrestling pedigree remains a central part of his identity.

Why it matters

• The rematch gives both men a chance to settle unfinished business from a prior meeting on the RAF mats
• Dvalishvili's elite takedown volume will be directly tested against Cejudo's accomplished wrestling base in a pure grappling format
• A high-profile submission grappling main event in Cleveland raises RAF 12's visibility at a time when the sport continues to grow mainstream attention
• The result could shift the competitive ledger in what is shaping up to be a meaningful rivalry between two fighters at the top of their respective crafts