Merab Dvalishvili and Frankie Edgar are scheduled to compete at RAF 09 in Dallas on May 30. This announcement comes after it was previously revealed that Gable Steveson versus Alexander Romanov would headline the event. The addition of Dvalishvili-Edgar strengthens what is shaping up to be an interesting card. Dvalishvili is currently ranked among the top bantamweights, while Edgar is a former UFC lightweight champion. The matchup represents a significant test for both fighters at different stages of their careers.
Merab Dvalishvili and Frankie Edgar have been booked to face each other at RAF 09 in Dallas on May 30, 2026, adding a marquee bantamweight clash to a card that already features Gable Steveson versus Alexander Romanov in the headlining slot.
Dvalishvili, known as "The Machine," enters the fight as one of the most decorated bantamweights in the sport. The 35-year-old Georgian carries a 21-5-0 record, holds the number-one ranking at bantamweight, and sits second in the pound-for-pound standings. Training out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team, Dvalishvili is particularly dangerous on the mat, averaging an exceptional 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes. He also generates consistent volume on the feet, landing 4.33 significant strikes per minute.
Edgar, nicknamed "The Answer," is a former UFC lightweight champion who has long been regarded as one of the most durable and technically sound fighters in MMA history. The 44-year-old New Jersey native holds a 23-11-1 record and now competes at bantamweight. Standing five-foot-six with a 68-inch reach — identical measurements to Dvalishvili — Edgar averages 3.77 significant strikes per minute and contributes 2.29 takedowns per 15 minutes of his own, making him a credible threat in the grappling exchanges.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili's pound-for-pound ranking means any high-profile result carries significant weight in the wider divisional picture
- Edgar's championship pedigree makes this a meaningful measuring-stick fight despite the gap in current rankings
- Both men share nearly identical physical dimensions, setting up a closely contested battle for mat control
- The addition of this bout strengthens RAF 09's overall card alongside the Steveson-Romanov headliner
