(Video) Henry Cejudo Repeats Russian Trash Talk to Irritate Merab Dvalishvili Ahead of RAF Revenge Matchup

UFC legend Henry Cejudo retains his 'King Of Cringe' title ahead of upcoming rematch against Merab Dvalishvili under the RAF banner.

(Video) Henry Cejudo Repeats Russian Trash Talk to Irritate Merab Dvalishvili Ahead of RAF Revenge Matchup

Henry Cejudo trolls Merab Dvalishvili (via MMA Mania, X)

In Short
  • Henry Cejudo attempted to trash-talk Merab Dvalishvili in Russian at the RAF 08 press conference.
  • Dvalishvili humorously corrected Cejudo, reminding him of his Georgian heritage.
  • Both fighters last competed in the UFC at UFC 323 in December 2025, marking a pivotal moment in their careers.

It is rarely a dull moment when Henry Cejudo is in the spotlight, blending elite success with unpredictable antics. Despite cementing his legacy as a dominant two-division UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist, he often makes headlines for humorous reasons.

One such moment came at the RAF 08 press conference, where he attempted to trash-talk in Russian while addressing Georgian UFC star Merab Dvalishvili.

At 39 years old, Cejudo remains a notable figure despite stepping away from the UFC following a unanimous decision loss to Payton Talbott at UFC 323 in December 2025.

The result marked a significant point in his career as he shifted focus away from the promotion. He later debuted under Real American Freestyle, securing a dominant technical fall victory over fellow UFC veteran Urijah Faber at RAF 06.

As Cejudo enters the RAF 08, he meets familiar rival Merab Dvalishvili, with the Georgian fighter making his debut under the Real American Freestyle banner and aiming for a fresh start. At the inaugural press conference, Cejudo tried to assert dominance by trash-talking Dvalishvili in Russian. ‘The Machine’ quickly corrected him, reminding him that he is Georgian, adding a humorous moment to their buildup.

What makes this exchange even more amusing is that it is not the first time Cejudo has attempted Russian trash talk toward Dvalishvili. Ahead of their UFC 298 matchup in 2024, ‘Triple C’ used the same approach during their faceoff to try to unsettle him. However, Dvalishvili has long expressed dislike for Russia and related political ties, making his calm correction in the latest exchange even more ironic.

Cejudo has often made headlines thanks to a personality that blends competitiveness with intentional theatrics, whether planned or not. Over his career, he has been dubbed the unofficial “King of Cringe” for his exaggerated promotional style, a label he has openly embraced. This persona is especially clear in his post-fight interviews and callouts, where he mixes ambition with entertainment tactics.

Both Henry Cejudo and Merab Dvalishvili last competed in the UFC at UFC 323 in December 2025, marking a turning point in their careers. While ‘Triple C’ has stepped away from MMA competition, Dvalishvili remains active and is targeting a rematch against Petr Yan to reclaim championship gold. Their RAF 08 clash will now test whether the Georgian star has fully recovered and can reassert himself on a new stage.

Henry Cejudo reveals why the UFC has such low fighter pay

Fighter compensation in the UFC has long been one of the most criticized issues in the promotion, with debates continuing for years over the gap between revenue growth and fighter earnings. Concerns often focus on entry-level pay, bonus dependence, and long-term financial security for rostered athletes. More recently, figures such as Ronda Rousey and Jake Paul have called for changes to the system.

Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo (via MMA Fighting)

Having joined the UFC during its peak growth period in 2014, Henry Cejudo has a clear view of how fighter pay and promotional economics have changed over time. Compensation expectations have grown with global expansion and bigger events, and today it is seen as necessary for fighters to be paid better due to rising costs. However, Cejudo has also pointed to deeper structural reasons for the persistence of low pay.

A lot of these foreign fighters, that have never been paid, that have fought on the street for free. They’re happy with a 100k bonus, they are happy with just getting famous. As Americans we know how these business associations work.

Henry Cejudo via Pound 4 Pound show

This debate highlights how perspectives on fighter pay and professionalism vary across the sport. Henry Cejudo’s comments on international fighters’ expectations contrast with UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev‘s past remarks on discipline among American athletes. Together, these views reflect the UFC’s global roster and ongoing concerns about compensation.

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