Merab Dvalishvili and Henry Cejudo Headline RAF 12 in Cleveland

Rematch in Cleveland: Merab Dvalishvili and Henry Cejudo Headline RAF 12

Real American Freestyle returns on Saturday, August 22, 2026, celebrating its one-year anniversary with a live broadcast from the Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. At the top of the card, former Ultimate Fighting Championship two-division champion Henry Cejudo steps back onto the mats to face former bantamweight champion and rival Merab Dvalishvili. The two clash for RAF’s inaugural lightweight crossover championship, according to the card’s match breakdown.

Their rivalry carries over from a chaotic summer encounter. Dvalishvili and Cejudo met last month in Tbilisi, Georgia, where Dvalishvili mounted a dramatic comeback from an 8-0 deficit to secure a victory in his home country. That meeting followed their 2024 UFC bout, which Dvalishvili won by unanimous decision.

Jordan Burroughs, Gable Steveson, and Crossover Stars Fill Out the Card

Beyond the main event, the card brings together elite freestyle wrestling veterans and crossover MMA names. U.S. wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs makes his RAF debut in a catchweight matchup against top welterweight Sean Brady. Meanwhile, Olympic champion Gable Steveson steps into his sophomore appearance on the circuit, facing Anthony Cassioppi in a heavyweight clash.

Additional high-stakes pairings anchor the lineup streaming exclusively on FOX Nation starting at 8 p.m. ET. Bo Nickal takes on Max McEnelly in a light heavyweight showdown, while Kennedy Blades defends her women’s middleweight championship against Diana Avsaragova.

David Carr Defends Title After a Thrilling Come-From-Behind Battle

Action on the mat delivered early drama during the welterweight championship bout. David Carr faced Tajmuraz Salkazanov, a four-time European champion, two-time World medalist, and 2024 Olympian at 74kg. Reporting from the arena detailed Salkazanov slowing down the pace through the second period, building a 3-1 lead while keeping Carr on the shot clock.

Entering the final frame down on points, Carr ignited a chaotic flurry. A single-leg takedown from a waterfall position pushed him ahead 5-3, securing a narrow 5-4 decision victory to retain his title.

Early Results and Injury Defaults Across the Cleveland Showcase

The undercard and main card feature quick finishes and hard-fought points victories. Johnni DiJulius delivered a vintage performance against Asu Almabayev in their featherweight bout, securing a technical fall victory at 10-0 after executing a series of fireman’s carries and gut wrenches.

In middleweight action, two-time Olympian Mahamedkhabib Kadzimahamedau faced three-time All-American Will Lewan. After Kadzimahamedau scored a five-point high-amplitude throw, Lewan dropped to the mat clutching his right knee, forcing an injury default.

Tyron Woodley also secured a victory on the evening’s card, defeating Joaquin Buckley 14-8 in their cruiserweight encounter, while Masanosuke Ono took a 4-0 points win over Ben Davino in bantamweight competition.