Henry Cejudo has been forced out of the main event at RAF 08 after suffering a last-minute injury, scrapping his scheduled rematch with Merab Dvalishvili.
The bout was set to headline the Real American Freestyle card at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, where Cejudo was expected to face Dvalishvili in a wrestling-based contest following their previous meeting under the UFC banner.
However, the promotion confirmed the matchup has been canceled on short notice due to Cejudo’s withdrawal.
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“Triple C” had appeared in good spirits during the pre-fight press conference, even exchanging light verbal jabs with the former UFC bantamweight titleholder just a day before the event. The exact nature of his injury has not been disclosed, and there is currently no word on whether the matchup will be rescheduled.
The cancellation marks a setback for RAF, which had positioned the rematch as one of the card’s key attractions. The two fighters previously met at UFC 298 in 2024, with “The Machine” earning a unanimous decision victory on his way to capturing UFC gold.
With the former two-division UFC champion sidelined, Arman Tsarukyan now steps into the headlining spot against veteran Urijah Faber. Tsarukyan enters the bout in strong form, having gone unbeaten in his appearances under the RAF banner this year.
The co-main event will feature Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder taking on Rizabek Aitmukhan as the promotion reshuffles its lineup just hours before fight night.
