At RAF 12 on August 22, 2026, former UFC double champion Henry Cejudo defeated Merab Dvalishvili by pinning him in just 36 seconds to capture the lightweight crossover title. According to MMA News, the quick finish allowed Cejudo to successfully avenge his prior losses to Dvalishvili, which included a defeat in mixed martial arts at UFC 298 and a come-from-behind loss at RAF Georgia.
Rapid Finish at RAF 12 in Cleveland
The main event concluded swiftly without a prolonged grappling exchange. According to MiddleEasy, Cejudo shot immediately at the opening bell, secured an early four-point takedown, and transitioned directly into side control to pin Dvalishvili’s shoulders to the mat. MMA News reported that the bout lasted a mere 36 seconds, preventing Dvalishvili from establishing his usual pace.
Reflecting on the victory in his post-fight interview with MMA News, Cejudo acknowledged his opponent’s skill, stating, “Merab is a machine.” Cejudo added, “I took the L from him, but this time around, I went and got this victory.” Dvalishvili addressed the outcome directly, telling MiddleEasy, “Henry Cejudo called me out and I said yes. He’s an Olympic champion for a reason. He beat me today. Let’s go for a trilogy in wrestling.”
Post-Fight Callout and Bantamweight Context
Immediately following his victory in Cleveland, Cejudo turned his attention to a potential next opponent. According to MMA News and MiddleEasy, Cejudo called out Cody Garbrandt, leveraging their shared history within the UFC bantamweight division. MiddleEasy noted that the callout sets up a potential matchup for the promotion while Dvalishvili continues to navigate his obligations in the UFC bantamweight landscape, which include a prospective trilogy fight against Petr Yan.
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