MMA
Henry Cejudo eager for trilogy with Merab Dvalishvili after quick RAF 12 win: "I’ve just got to stay disciplined and dedicated”
Published
2 months agoon
RAFHenry Cejudo finally got a measure of revenge on Merab Dvalishvili in the freestyle wrestling world, but he's already calling for a trilogy.
Cejudo entered the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland this past Saturday in hopes of a strong showing in a RAF 12 rematch with former UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili. In their first encounter outside of MMA rules, Cejudo had a sizable 8-0 lead over “The Machine,†but his gas tank wore out. This allowed Dvalishvili to mount a comeback and score the victory 11-8.
Things played out far differently in the rematch, as “Triple C†managed to have Dvalishvili pinned in just 36 seconds. It was a definitive win for Cejudo, but he may not be done with his rival just yet. During the RAF 12 post-fight press conference, Cejudo said he's counting on a third wrestling match with “The Machine†(via MMAFighting).
“I've been wrestling since I was a kid but that doesn't mean anything,†Cejudo said. “It's humbling but I'm excited for the trilogy.â€
Cejudo believes that the biggest difference between his rematch with Dvalishvili and their first RAF meeting boiled down to dedication.
“When I'm in shape, and I think Izzy [Martinez] said it, we were on the phone one time and [he said] ‘when Henry's in shape, no one will beat him… this kid is good,'†Cejudo said. “I took that to heart.
“I went out to Amsterdam, N.Y. in upstate New York, and I just dedicated myself for a whole month and a half. After getting beat up by Merab in Georgia. I've just got to stay disciplined and dedicated.â€
Cejudo is now 2-1 under the RAF banner. His other victory was against Urijah Faber in his promotional debut back in February. Whether RAF officials book the trilogy between Cejudo and Dvalishvili or they have something else in mind for “Triple C†will be a story to monitor.
Did you catch the RAF 12 rematch between Henry Cejudo and Merab Dvalishvili? Should there be a trilogy, or would you rather see fresh matchups for both men? Drop your two cents in the comments below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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MMA
Movsar Evloev warns Alexander Volkanovski: He hasnt beaten anyone like me
Published
14 hours agoon
October 23, 2026
Evloev says he has pushed himself harder than ever ahead of his
first UFC title shot.
Evloev (20-0) is scheduled to challenge Alexander
Volkanovski (28-4) for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Ahead of the
bout, the unbeaten Russian discussed how his preparations have
differed from previous training camps.
Movsar Evloev details toughest training camp ahead of Alexander
Volkanovski title fight at UFC 333
Evloev said he increased his workload across all aspects of
training to address any potential weaknesses. He believes that
preparation will help him showcase his abilities in Saturday's main
event.
“This preparation is different just because I pushed more than
ever,†Evloev said in a pre-fight interview. “And we did more of
everything to make sure we didn't miss anything. He hasn't beaten
anyone like me. There's many things that make me special, like
unique. And I'm about to show it Saturday.â€
Evloev has long been considered a leading featherweight contender,
with Volkanovski acknowledging him as the most deserving
challenger. However, Diego Lopes
received a title rematch against Volkanovski earlier this year
before Evloev earned his opportunity. The Russian's lack of UFC
finishes has fueled debate about his wait for a championship bout,
though the promotion has not established it as the reason for the
delay.
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.”
Movsar
Evloev (@MovsarUFC) discusses his journey to the title shot and
his title fight matchup against champ Alexander
Volkanovski @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi |
@ParamountPlus https://t.co/fWuJJ7I2sz— UFC News (@UFCNews)
October 21, 2026
MMA
Joshua Van: Sean Strickland ‘in a bad spot’ in Dana White feud over UFC pay
Published
15 hours agoon
October 23, 2026
Joshua Van sides with UFC boss Dana White in his public feud with Sean Strickland.
For Van, the UFC's flyweight champion, the matter should have been discussed behind closed doors instead of a public forum like social media.
“He just signed a contract in May and fought Khamzat, and then he won,†Van told Outta Pocket. “Instead of going on Twitter and going on all that [expletive], he should have talked to Dana and said, ‘I wanna renegotiate.' Behind closed doors. Then the boss would have been like, ‘OK, let's talk about this, what you want?' You just beat the boogeyman. Now it's a whole mess.â€
“If you work at a 9-to-5 job and you go off to your boss and you're like, pay me this much. Like, what the [expletive]? You know what I mean? So he's in a bad spot right now. He's still under the contract. I don't know how that's gonna work.â€
A 25-year-old flyweight champion who started his professional MMA career when Strickland already had 14 UFC bouts under his belt, Van agrees with Strickland that fighters should get paid more.
However, he doesn't sound unhappy with his current UFC contract. Van recently defended his 125-pound belt with a decision over Alexandre Pantoja, his third title bout win in a span of 10 months, including a fifth-round TKO over Tatsuro Taira in the co-main event of Chimaev vs. Strickland.
“I'm getting paid good,†Van said with a laugh. “I think they pay me good amount; I don't know, but fighter that think they deserve more or—like, should we get paid more? Yes, but, I don't know, I'm happy where I'm at. I start from zero to now, the UFC literally made me where I'm at, gave me everything that I got right now. I don't know, I'm happy right now. I can't really say for the other guy.â€
MMA
UFC 333 prop odds: Krylov-Yakhyaev favored for fastest finish
Published
1 day agoon
October 22, 2026
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