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Merab Dvalishvili has been booked for his RAF Wrestling debut, and the matchup could not be much tougher.
The former UFC bantamweight champion was expected to take a break after four world title fights last year. And while he is not returning to the octagon just yet, he will be stepping onto the mat in Philadelphia on 18 April.
Following his recent signing, it is now official that he will face Henry Cejudo in a rematch of their UFC 298 bout. ‘The Machine’ won that fight, which led to his title shot, but this time he faces Cejudo in his own game.
RAF08 rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Henry Cejudo gets the green light
Two years after their fight in the UFC, Dvalishvili and ‘Triple C’ are set to meet again, this time on the wrestling mat. The Georgian got the better of their first encounter, but things could play out very differently in this format.
The Georgian star was there in person for Cejudo’s latest wrestling win in Arizona, watching as ‘Triple C’ made light work of Urijah Faber. Afterwards, he stepped into frame during the post-match interview with Chael Sonnen, setting up a faceoff that had been building for some time.
“Merab Dvalishvili you’re next,” said the 39-year-old American, referencing how he lost their first meeting.
“April in Philly, I’m going to spank you around. Let’s go, sign the contract.”
Sonnen then asked Dvalishvili how he felt about stepping into a straight wrestling match with one of the sport’s greats.
“I love it, I love the show, this is the best wrestling show I’ve ever been to. As you guys know I’m going to wrestle and I did take down this man,” ‘The Machine’ replied.
“I will beat him in his own sport… I know this is a big challenge, but I am ready. Absolutely yes [I accept the challenge]… Let’s do it any time. Now I know you’re tired, so I’ll give you time.”
Cejudo added: “If Merab thinks he caught me in my prime, he is mistaken. This is my first love and I am going to make you bend the knee.”
Security kept them apart before anything more could happen physically after an earlier brawl broke out following Arman Tsarukyan’s co-main event match with Georgio Poullas.
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