Tbilisi, Georgia — Merab Dvalishvili mounted a dramatic comeback Saturday to defeat Henry Cejudo 11-8 at RAF Georgia, reversing an early deficit in a match that helped fuel a raucous scene inside the Tbilisi Sports Palace.
Late surge secures comeback win
Cejudo, the 2008 Olympic wrestling gold medalist, opened the match decisively. He executed a powerful gut-wrench and built an early advantage that reached 8-0, putting himself a single takedown away from a technical fall. But Dvalishvili, representing Georgia and known for his relentlessness, chipped away over the remaining periods.
The Georgian closed the gap with a single-leg takedown in the second period, added another takedown in the third, earned a shot clock advantage and ultimately overtook Cejudo on the scoreboard to finish 11-8. The victory marked a second meeting between the two veterans; they previously fought in the UFC two years ago, a bout Dvalishvili also won by decision.
Event highlights and title defenses
The Tbilisi card consisted of 12 matches and showcased decorated athletes across several disciplines. Notable results included:
- Kyle Snyder defeated Abdulrashid Sadulaev by pinfall to retain the light heavyweight title.
- Kyle Dake retained the cruiserweight belt, beating Vladimeri Gamkrelidze on points.
- Helen Maroulis won by pinfall over Anhelina Lysak to hold the women’s bantamweight title.
- Arman Tsarukyan opened the show with an 11-0 technical fall against Kuat Khamitov, improving his RAF record for 2026 to 7-0.
The promotion also marked a milestone by staging its first event outside the United States.
What this means locally and for the promotion
For Georgia — both as a country with deep wrestling traditions and for local fans who turned out in force — the card reinforced the sport’s regional appeal. Dvalishvili’s late rally, in particular, resonated with spectators accustomed to comeback narratives in combat sports. For RAF, the successful international show expands its footprint and showcased how its roster blends former UFC talent with elite wrestlers.
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo | 11-8 (Dvalishvili) |
| Kyle Snyder vs. Abdulrashid Sadulaev | Pinfall (Snyder retained) |
| Kyle Dake vs. Vladimeri Gamkrelidze | Points (Dake retained) |
| Helen Maroulis vs. Anhelina Lysak | Pinfall (Maroulis retained) |
| Arman Tsarukyan vs. Kuat Khamitov | 11-0 technical fall (Tsarukyan) |
Looking ahead
Arman Tsarukyan, who opened the event with a dominant performance, is scheduled to return to RAF mats on July 18 at RAF 11 in Milwaukee, where he will face Colby Covington. The promotion’s expansion overseas suggests more international cards may follow, offering additional opportunities for local wrestling stars to perform on a larger stage.
The evening in Tbilisi combined high-level wrestling, former UFC standouts and a cliffhanger finish that will be replayed by fans for weeks.
