Cejudo Withdraws From RAF08 Due to 'Personal Stuff'

Former UFC champion says he'll keep injury details private as he focuses on recovery.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:06pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the chaotic energy of a wrestling or combat sports match, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in deep navy, forest green, and crimson red overlapping to create a sense of dynamic movement and intensity.Cejudo's withdrawal from RAF08 due to a personal injury highlights the challenges even elite athletes face in balancing health and competition.Philadelphia Today

UFC legend Henry Cejudo was scheduled to headline the RAF08 event in Philadelphia on Saturday, but he withdrew on fight day due to an unspecified personal injury. Cejudo apologized to his scheduled opponent, Merab Dvalishvili, and thanked Real American Freestyle for the opportunity, saying he'll take time to heal up before returning to the mats.

Why it matters

Cejudo's withdrawal is a disappointment for fans who were looking forward to seeing the former two-division UFC champion compete in the Real American Freestyle promotion. As one of the greatest combat sports athletes of all time, Cejudo's participation was expected to draw significant interest and attention to the growing organization.

The details

Cejudo was scheduled to face Merab Dvalishvili in a rematch of their previous fight in the UFC, which Dvalishvili won. However, Cejudo pulled out on the day of the event due to a personal injury that he did not disclose details about, saying he wants to keep those injuries private as he focuses on recovery. During Saturday's RAF08 event, the promotion also announced the signing of active UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev.

  • Cejudo was scheduled to compete at the RAF08 event on Saturday, April 19, 2026 in Philadelphia.
  • Cejudo beat Urijah Faber in his first RAF match in February 2026.

The players

Henry Cejudo

A former Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling who went on to become a two-division UFC champion, regarded as one of the greatest combat sports athletes of all time.

Merab Dvalishvili

A current UFC fighter who was scheduled to face Cejudo in a rematch at the RAF08 event after previously defeating him in the UFC.

Khamzat Chimaev

An active UFC fighter who was announced as a new signing for the Real American Freestyle promotion during the RAF08 event.

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What they’re saying

“Unfortunately had to pull out of this match... I wanted this match. I think it's great for wrestling. It's personal stuff. Personal injuries that I can't — that I've gotta heal up and do my thing.”

— Henry Cejudo, Former UFC Champion

“Wanted to apologize to Merab, which I already did in a personal text, and I wanted to say thanks to Real American Freestyle. When you can you can, when you can't, it is what it is. I'll keep these injuries to myself. We tried to (push through), but it's sometimes too much.”

— Henry Cejudo, Former UFC Champion

What’s next

Cejudo did not provide a timeline for his return to the RAF mats, saying he needs to focus on recovering from his unspecified personal injury before competing again.

The takeaway

Cejudo's withdrawal from the RAF08 event highlights the challenges even elite athletes can face with injuries, and the need to prioritize health and recovery over competition at times. His decision to keep the details private shows his commitment to his own wellbeing as he looks to make a successful return to the sport.