Real American Freestyle (RAF) today announced that RAF08 will take place at Philadelphia’s Liacouras Center on Sat., April 18, 2026, streaming live on FOX Nation. Headlining RAF08 is former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, who will make his RAF debut against an opponent to be named.
The 35 year-old “Machine” holds the record for most takedowns in UFC history (119) and recently set a bantamweight mark by winning 14 straight fights at 135 pounds. Dvalishvili (21-5) is expected to make his return to the Octagon later this year but will keep himself busy on the RAF mats until then.
Pre-sale tickets will go live on Weds. (Feb. 25) with general on-sale on Fri. (Feb. 27).
“Philadelphia is a fight city and RAF belongs on the biggest stages,” said Chad Bronstein, CEO and Co-Founder of Real American Freestyle. “Merab is elite, relentless, and rooted in wrestling. When athletes of his caliber step onto the RAF stage, it reinforces what this league represents — the professional home for the sport’s best.”
Next on the docket is RAF06, which takes place this weekend in Tempe, Arizona, with Henry Cejudo and Urijah Faber battling it out in the main event. RAF07 follows on March 28 at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, featuring Kyle Dake vs. Parker Keckeisen, Bo Bassett vs. Vladimer Khinchegashvili, and more.
Additional matchups for RAF08 will be announced in the coming weeks.
