Dvalishvili to Compete at RAF Abu Dhabi
Merab Dvalishvili returns to Real American Freestyle as a late addition to the November 14 card in Abu Dhabi.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
Merab Dvalishvili will compete at Real American Freestyle's Abu Dhabi event on November 14, 2026, as a late addition to the card. His opponent has not yet been revealed, and the event is headlined by Khamzat Chimaev vs Colby Covington.
Why it matters
The bout gives Dvalishvili a return to competition after losing the bantamweight title to Petr Yan in October 2026, which Yan retained in a third meeting between the two. Dvalishvili said he would be open to competing in November because he has no regrets about the fight.
Cejudo's 36-second win over Dvalishvili in August 2026 was the most recent result between the two in RAF, with Dvalishvili's two RAF outings both coming against Cejudo. The identity of his November opponent remains unannounced.
The players
Merab Dvalishvili
Georgian-American mixed martial artist who has competed as a bantamweight contender and former UFC bantamweight champion.
Petr Yan
Russian mixed martial artist who has held the UFC bantamweight title and defended it against Dvalishvili in their third meeting.
Henry Cejudo
American former two-division champion who has fought Dvalishvili twice in Real American Freestyle.
Khamzat Chimaev
Chechen-Swedish mixed martial artist known for his grappling-heavy style and headlining the RAF Abu Dhabi card against Colby Covington.
Colby Covington
American welterweight known for his wrestling background and rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev, meeting him on the RAF Abu Dhabi card.
The details
Dvalishvili was announced as a late addition to the Real American Freestyle Abu Dhabi card, which is headlined by Khamzat Chimaev vs Colby Covington. The bout follows a run that began with his loss of the bantamweight title to Petr Yan in December 2025.
Timeline
December 2025: Dvalishvili loses the bantamweight title to Petr Yan.
August 2026: Henry Cejudo avenges his loss to Dvalishvili in 36 seconds in RAF.
October 2026: Dvalishvili and Yan fight a third time, with Yan retaining the title.
November 14, 2026: Dvalishvili competes at RAF Abu Dhabi.
Season Trajectory
With UFC cards fully booked until at least early 2027, Real American Freestyle is offering top fighters an alternate competitive outlet during the gap. Dvalishvili's return on the Abu Dhabi card shows how RAF is positioning itself as a venue for fights that the UFC schedule cannot accommodate.
Fans tracking Dvalishvili's fantasy or betting outlook should note that his opponent is still unknown, which leaves the matchup open until the card is finalized. The fight also means he will need to take time off before returning to the UFC.
The takeaway
Dvalishvili's willingness to fight again so soon after a title loss signals that competitive appetite, rather than rankings alone, is driving his scheduling choices. Readers should watch whether the Abu Dhabi bout reshapes his path back to a UFC title opportunity.
What happens next
Dvalishvili's opponent for the November 14 Abu Dhabi card is expected to be announced before the event.
Further reading
For more on the sport, see our Mixed Martial Arts coverage.
