Merab Dvalishvili will step away from the UFC cage to compete on the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling mats, marking his next athletic endeavor. This decision comes after his last UFC bout in December, where his bantamweight title reign ended in a loss to Petr Yan.
The Georgian athlete, known as “The Machine,” had planned for an immediate rematch with Yan, nicknamed ‘No Mercy,’ but Yan’s back surgery has postponed any further UFC action for several months. Rather than waiting, Dvalishvili will proceed with a wrestling appearance, signaling a temporary departure from MMA competition.
RAF08 Set to Feature Dvalishvili in the Main Event
On April 18, Merab Dvalishvili is scheduled to headline the RAF08 event at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, according to a press release shared Tuesday. The promotion has continued its trend of featuring notable former UFC stars to maintain competitive activity, following its upcoming RAF06 event on February 28, headlined by ex-UFC champion Henry Cejudo against Urijah Faber.
RAF08 will mark Dvalishvili’s debut on their mats, though his opponent has not yet been announced, with more details expected soon.
RAF CEO Chad Bronstein commented on the signing, saying,
“Merab is elite, relentless, and rooted in wrestling,”
and added,
“When athletes of his caliber step onto the RAF stage, it reinforces what this league represents – the professional home for the sport’s best.”
Implications for Dvalishvili’s UFC Future Amid Yan’s Recovery
Dvalishvili had initially aimed to return to UFC competition at the White House event scheduled for June 14. However, Yan’s ongoing rehabilitation keeps the timeline uncertain for the bantamweight title fight’s continuation.
It remains likely that once Yan is medically cleared, the two will complete their rivalry with a trilogy bout, as Dvalishvili remains a top contender for the bantamweight crown.
