Overview
- The rematch headlines RAF 12 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday night and airs live on FOX Nation at 8 p.m. ET for RAF’s inaugural lightweight crossover championship.
- Merab Dvalishvili won the pair’s RAF meeting in July after rallying from an early deficit, and the quick follow-up bout gives Henry Cejudo a direct chance to respond to that collapse.
- Cejudo publicly acknowledged the July defeat humbled him, said he became tired and undertrained in that match, and described a returned focus and stricter preparation ahead of the runback.
- Dvalishvili is balancing RAF appearances with a high-profile UFC schedule, including a looming trilogy fight with Petr Yan, which frames his RAF outings as part of a broader competitive calendar.
- RAF 12’s stacked card also features Jordan Burroughs’ RAF debut, Gable Steveson’s return and multiple title matches, a lineup that signals RAF’s push for mainstream visibility through marquee crossover matchups.