Overview
- Henry Cejudo pinned Merab Dvalishvili in 36 seconds at RAF 12, winning the inaugural RAF crossover lightweight title and pressing for a third meeting in the series.
- Dvalishvili told Ariel Helwani he underprepared for the RAF rematch because his training focus was on the upcoming UFC trilogy with Petr Yan.
- Cejudo’s quick victory reverses the July result between the pair and gives him a promotional and competitive boost that could push RAF and UFC to explore a wrestling trilogy.
- Petr Yan has said a damaged right hand affected his first fight with Dvalishvili, a claim that his allies and rivals have used to frame expectations for the Oct. 24 title fight in Abu Dhabi.
- With the Yan–Dvalishvili trilogy still booked for UFC 333, the recent RAF result and public admissions raise clear questions about split camps, injury narratives, and which fighter can translate momentum back into the Octagon.