Dvalishvili meets Cejudo as Real American Freestyle heads to Tbilisi in July

Real American Freestyle will take its wrestling promotion outside the United States for the first time on July 11, hosting a card in Tbilisi, Georgia headlined by former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili against Henry Cejudo, a two-division UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist.

Dvalishvili, a Georgian native, made his RAF debut at RAF 9 on May 30, defeating Frankie Edgar via technical fall. Inside the UFC’s Octagon, he was known for relentless grappling and conditioning, defending the bantamweight title three times in 2025 before losing it to Petr Yan last December. Dvalishvili has since indicated he expects a championship rematch with Yan to be his next UFC assignment.

Cejudo made his own RAF debut on Feb. 28, earning a technical fall victory over Urijah Faber. His MMA career came to a close following a loss to Payton Talbott on Dec. 6, but the former flyweight and bantamweight champion remains active on the wrestling circuit.

The co-main event carries significant weight of its own. Kyle Snyder will put his RAF light heavyweight crown on the line against Abdulrashid Sadulaev, a matchup that brings together two of the most decorated freestyle wrestlers in the sport’s recent history.

Rounding out the announced bouts, UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan — a regular presence on RAF cards — will face Kuat Khamitov. Geno Petriashvili is also listed on the card against an opponent still to be confirmed, and Givi Matcharashvili meets Zach Elam.

The full card for RAF’s Tbilisi debut is as follows: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo; Abdulrashid Sadulaev vs. Kyle Snyder; Geno Petriashvili vs. TBA; Givi Matcharashvili vs. Zach Elam; Arman Tsarukyan vs. Kuat Khamitov.