Merab Dvalishvili open to Henry Cejudo RAF trilogy, says Abu Dhabi would be a great place

The pair are 1-1 in Real American Freestyle after Cejudo won their rematch in 36 seconds in August, and Dvalishvili first faces Petr Yan at UFC 333 on Saturday.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Thu 22 Oct, 01:53 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Merab Dvalishvili and Henry Cejudo at a beach stall under a chalkboard quoting Dvalishvili on an RAF trilogy — Original graphic: Combat Sports UK

Merab Dvalishvili has said yes to a third Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling match with Henry Cejudo, days before his UFC bantamweight title trilogy with Petr Yan.

Asked whether he wants a trilogy with Cejudo, Dvalishvili told Red Corner MMA at UFC 333 media day: "Yes, why not? I would like to have a trilogy with Henry Cejudo. And Abu Dhabi would be a great place."

The two have split their RAF matches. Dvalishvili won the first, before Cejudo won the rematch in 36 seconds in August. Dvalishvili had already beaten Cejudo in the UFC Octagon more than two years ago.

He put the August defeat down to a mistake. "I got caught, like you can get caught in a fight... he found a moment and I made a mistake, and he did a good job," he said.

First comes Yan. Dvalishvili meets the Russian at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 10 months after Yan took the bantamweight title from him at UFC 323.

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Merab Dvalishvili Henry Cejudo Petr Yan