The Real American Freestyle (RAF) landscape just got a shakeup, and Merab Dvalishvili's debut is now on hold—but not without some dramatic behind-the-scenes twists. The former UFC bantamweight champion was set to join the growing wave of MMA stars crossing over to the wrestling promotion, but plans changed when Henry Cejudo pulled out of RAF 08 just hours before the event in Philadelphia. That left the main event spotlight on Arman Tsarukyan versus Urijah Faber, and Dvalishvili off the card entirely.

It wasn't for lack of options, though. Dvalishvili revealed on The Ariel Helwani Show that he was offered a fight against Tsarukyan to stay on the April 18 card. But the matchup didn't sit right with him. "That matchup doesn't make sense," Dvalishvili said. "Arman wanted to compete with me and Urijah. He was ready to do it—two matches in one night. Also, he is two weight classes bigger than me. I was thinking about it, but thank god I did not take the match."

What happened next only confirmed his instincts. Tsarukyan faced Faber in the main event, and Dvalishvili was visibly disappointed by how it unfolded. "What Arman did against Urijah Faber, the legend, I was disappointed. Arman should not throw him out like that. Urijah is a very good man and a very good fighter. I have even more respect for him how he handled this situation. I don't like it, how Arman threw him out. That wasn't necessary. And it should not have happened."

Instead of a rushed debut, Dvalishvili will now headline RAF 09 on May 30 against former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar—a matchup that carries its own history and intrigue. For fans of combat sports fashion, this is a reminder that the right gear matters whether you're stepping in for a last-minute call or preparing for a marquee showdown. Stay tuned for more updates as the RAF roster continues to expand with top-tier talent.