Frankie Edgar is set to make his Real American Freestyle debut in a high-profile matchup against Merab Dvalishvili at RAF 09 on May 30.
The wrestling event will take place at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, marking Edgar’s first appearance for the organization after a controversial end to his bareknuckle boxing plans in late 2025. Edgar previously had a bareknuckle boxing bout vs. Jimmie Rivera with BKFC canceled over medical concerns.
Edgar said he passed all commission tests before BKFC pulled him from the card and admitted, "That definitely left a bad taste in my mouth," before eventually warming to the idea of competing again. "I never heard nothing bad about RAF or anything like those type of stuff, but I just didn't even want to put myself in a position where I had to commit to something. Like all things, over time I got OK with the situation. I just like to compete. I've seen these other guys doing it. (Chris) Weidman's on the card. I just felt like it's a fun thing for me to do."
Now 44, Edgar is embracing the chance to test himself in a wrestling setting against Dvalishvili. "He's one of the best grapplers in the world without a doubt," Edgar said, noting he plans to lean on his "freestyle know-how" and a strong training room in New Jersey that includes Steve Rivera, Sebastian Rivera, and Anthony Ashnault.
"I don't have to go too far here in Jersey. We've got what we need."
