Ali Akbar Rosady
Tbilisi, Georgia – The Real American Wrestling (RAF) promotion is set to make its highly anticipated international debut in Georgia on July 11, with the main event featuring a compelling wrestling rematch between Georgian-American mixed martial arts star Merab Dvalishvili and former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo. The card, slated for the prestigious Tbilisi Arena, marks a significant milestone for the burgeoning wrestling promotion and for the host nation, which holds a deep reverence for the sport.
The announcement, confirmed by promotional officials prior to RAF 9 in Dallas, underscores RAF’s rapid expansion and global ambitions less than a year after its launch. For Merab Dvalishvili, known as "The Machine" in the MMA world, the event represents a profound personal and national triumph, allowing him to compete on home soil against a familiar and formidable opponent.
"This is dream come true," Dvalishvili conveyed to MMA Fighting, expressing a sentiment of long-held aspiration. "It’s been a long time. We’ve been trying to bring UFC to Georgia, but this almost feels the same by bringing RAF to Georgia. This is great for my country. Wrestling is a big sport in my country… So I’m sure my country will be excited. It’s going to be a good opportunity for other athletes for me, for Givi [Matcharashvili]… to represent our country, in our country. This is huge. Really huge."
The Dvalishvili-Cejudo encounter carries a unique narrative, following their pivotal mixed martial arts bout at UFC 298 in February 2024, where Dvalishvili secured a unanimous decision victory. That win solidified Dvalishvili’s position as the number one contender for the UFC bantamweight title, extending his impressive winning streak to ten consecutive fights within the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The two were initially scheduled to face each other under RAF rules at RAF 8 in April, but a late injury forced Cejudo to withdraw, deferring the highly anticipated wrestling contest.
Related News :
- Heavyweight Title Clash: Aspinall vs. Gane Headlines UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi
- Michael Chandler Fuels Speculation for High-Stakes Conor McGregor Bout at Historic White House Event
- The Curtain Falls: UFC 323 Delivers Final Pay-Per-View Spectacle with Bantamweight and Flyweight Titles on the Line.
- Legendary Mixed Martial Arts Coach and Roufusport Founder Duke Roufus Dies at 55
- UFC 321 fight card: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista among can’t miss fights
Now, Dvalishvili will step into the pure wrestling domain of Cejudo, an Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling from the 2008 Beijing Games and a former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight Champion, earning him the moniker "Triple C." While Dvalishvili has demonstrated elite-level wrestling in his MMA career, this contest offers Cejudo an opportunity to assert his dominance in his foundational sport.
Dvalishvili acknowledged the shift in competitive landscape, stating, "I beat him in MMA but now I’m competing in his sport… Of course, he has [better] chance in the wrestling… But that will be my next goal to beat Henry Cejudo in wrestling." Both athletes have recently made their RAF debuts with impressive performances: Dvalishvili secured a technical fall victory over former UFC champion Frankie Edgar at RAF 9, while Cejudo defeated Urijah Faber via technical fall at RAF 6 in February.
Beyond the main event, the card is packed with high-caliber wrestling matchups, further elevating the significance of RAF Georgia. A marquee co-main event will pit two titans of the sport against each other: American Olympic gold medalist and multiple world champion Kyle Snyder against Russian Olympic gold medalist and multiple world champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev. This contest, a rivalry that has captivated the wrestling world for years, represents a dream matchup for fans of freestyle wrestling, showcasing two of the most dominant heavyweights of their generation. Snyder, a renowned technician and powerful force, and Sadulaev, often referred to as "The Russian Tank" for his relentless style, have delivered legendary encounters in international competitions, making their clash in Tbilisi a must-watch event.
The card will also feature a strong contingent of Georgian wrestling talent, underscoring the nation’s rich heritage in the sport. Givi Matcharashvili, a prominent Georgian wrestler and a European medalist, is slated to compete against two-time NCAA champion Zach Elam of the United States. Furthermore, Georgian wrestling legend and multiple world champion Geno Petriashvili, an Olympic silver and bronze medalist, will face American Top Team wrestling coach and former Dan Hodge Trophy winner Steve Mocco. Petriashvili, a heavyweight powerhouse, is a national hero in Georgia, and his participation further amplifies the event’s local appeal and international prestige.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Arman Tsarukyan, a rising contender in the UFC lightweight division known for his exceptional wrestling prowess, is also confirmed to compete on the card against an opponent yet to be revealed. Tsarukyan’s inclusion highlights the cross-sport appeal RAF is cultivating, attracting top MMA talent to showcase their wrestling skills. Notably, Tsarukyan is scheduled to headline RAF 11 the following week, where he will face former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington, indicating a busy schedule and high demand for the Armenian-Russian fighter within the promotion.
The decision to go international within its first full year of operation was not an impulsive one for RAF, according to its co-founders, Chad Bronstein and Izzy Martinez. It was a foundational goal from the inception of the organization. "Izzy and I share the same message: We wanted to do this since day one," Bronstein stated. "Izzy was in Croatia, and I’ll never forget it, almost a year ago, and he’s like, ‘Chad, you ready to go international?’ We wanted to go international, but I think for us, it’s cool to hear the importance of wrestling in Georgia and, again, with RAF, our goal is not to push our American wrestling to Georgia, it’s actually developing RAF Georgia. So I think for us it’s a sport of respect and we want to respect cultures and go to the countries that love wrestling."
This philosophy resonates deeply in Georgia, a nation where wrestling is not merely a sport but a cornerstone of its cultural identity and historical pride. Georgian traditional wrestling, known as Chidaoba, has roots stretching back centuries, fostering a deep national appreciation for grappling arts. The country has consistently produced Olympic and World champions in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, cementing its status as a global powerhouse in the sport. Hosting an international event of RAF’s caliber provides a platform for Georgian athletes to shine on a global stage in their homeland and inspires the next generation of wrestlers.
The event at Tbilisi Arena on July 11 is poised to be a landmark occasion for RAF, Merab Dvalishvili, and the nation of Georgia. Broadcast details for RAF Georgia are expected to be revealed at a later date, and wrestling enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the clash of titans and the international debut of a promotion rapidly making its mark on the global combat sports landscape.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
Latest entries
MMAJune 3, 2026Tbilisi Arena Set for Historic RAF International Debut, Dvalishvili-Cejudo Rematch Headlines.
MMAJune 3, 2026Biggest NBA Finals storylines; Vegas wins Game 1 thriller in Stanley Cup Final; big deals for young NFL stars
MMAJune 3, 2026Former Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya Set to Clash with Rising Contender Joe Pyfer at UFC Fight Night in Seattle.
MMAJune 3, 2026Daniel Marcos Swiftly Transitions to Professional Fighters League Following UFC Departure
arthur roy sitompul
Anshari Taslim
rifan muazin
