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Frankie Edgar Discusses RAF Debut Against Merab Dvalishvili<\/p>\n
Frankie Edgar<\/a> opened up about his decision to return to competition with Real American Freestyle. Edgar will return to his amateur wrestling roots to face Merab Dvalishvili<\/a> at RAF 09 on May. 30.<\/p>\n Edgar, 44, retired from MMA in 2022. Although he retired as an active competitor, \u2018The Answer\u2019 stayed involved in the sport through coaching.<\/p>\n While initially hesitant, he ultimately decided to pursue a return to competition.<\/p>\n \u201cLance Palmer is a good friend of mine, he\u2019s kind of an executive over there and he\u2019s kind of getting in my ear a little bit about competing and I kind of was on the fence,\u201d Edgar exclusively told Heavy Sports<\/a>. \u201cThey they were talking about coming to New Jersey and that kind of piqued my interest so I threw my hat in the ring.\u201d<\/p>\n The former UFC<\/a> lightweight champion will face Dvalishvili, who is a similar size. Despite \u2018The Machine\u2019 being an active UFC competitor known for his overwhelming pace and wrestling, Edgar remains confident.<\/p>\n \u201c[Dvalishvili] has a motor on him, he\u2019s like a bus driver, his name is \u2018The Machine.\u2019 That\u2019s exactly what he is. He\u2019s going to come guns blazing, I know that,\u201d he said. \u201cBut, he\u2019s not a natural wrestler, I guess you could say, but he knows how to grapple.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cEven though it\u2019s been 22 years since my last freestyle match, at least I have more matches in freestyle than he does.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Frankie Edgar Opens Up About Decision to Join RAF<\/p>\n Frankie Edgar also opened up about his decision to join RAF<\/a>. While he no longer has to worry about being punched, kicked, or elbowed, preparation for wrestling still requires intense work.<\/p>\n Given the time limits in RAF, freestyle wrestling matches can take a physical toll. However, Edgar noted that his family is much happier about his decision to compete in freestyle wrestling rather than other combat sports.<\/p>\n \u201cMy wife\u2019s much more happier with [RAF]. Luckily, I\u2019m not taking any hits to the head and brain, so that\u2019s a plus. But I actually feel surprisingly good. It\u2019s a six-minute match, not a 25-minute fight, so that helps too,\u201d Edgar exclusively told Heavy Sports. \u201cThe intensity of a six-minute match might be greater than a 25-minute fight, so it\u2019s going to be fun.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cI\u2019m having fun in this process, so if we could string a couple matches, you know, throughout the next couple years, I would love to [continue with RAF].\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Edgar Was a NCAA Division 1 Wrestler<\/p>\n Edgar enters his RAF matchup having competed at the highest level in collegiate wrestling during his time at Clarion University of Pennsylvania<\/a>. While there, \u2018The Answer\u2019 was an NCAA<\/a> Division 1 wrestler.<\/p>\n Edgar described his collegiate wrestling career as a valuable learning experience.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was definitely a learning experience, kind of an adjustment period. Coming from high school to college level is tough,\u201d Edgar exclusively told Heavy Sports. \u201cIt took a little adjusting, but I started my freshman year, I made it to Nationals<\/a>, so I had a solid campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n Edgar spoke highly of RAF providing wrestlers and fighters with another platform to compete.<\/p>\n \u201cRAF has taken the world by storm, I guess in a way,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a great opportunity for these guys, and for us fighters as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tGiancarlo Aulino<\/a> Giancarlo Aulino is sports writer who covers UFC for Heavy.com. He began writing for Heavy in 2025 after providing MMA coverage for Sportskeeda. Giancarlo is an experienced journalist and interviewer, having covered soccer clubs Toronto FC and Inter Toronto FC as a full-season reporter, and also producing sports coverage for Toronto radio station VIBE 105.5FM.
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