Merab Dvalishvili vs. Frankie Edgar set for RAF 09 in Dallas on May 30

Merab Dvalishvili and Frankie Edgar are set to share the cage at RAF 09 in Dallas on May 30, adding a high-profile bantamweight clash to a card already anchored by the heavyweight contest between Gable Steveson and Alexander Romanov.

Dvalishvili, known as "The Machine," enters the bout as one of the most decorated fighters in the world at 135 pounds. The 35-year-old Georgian carries a 21-5-0 record and holds the number-one ranking in the bantamweight division, alongside a pound-for-pound ranking of second. Fighting out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team, he is a relentless pressure fighter who averages 4.33 significant strikes per minute and an elite 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most suffocating wrestlers in the sport at any weight class.

Edgar, nicknamed "The Answer," is a 44-year-old veteran from the United States with a 23-11-1 professional record. Standing five-foot-six with a 68-inch reach — identical measurements to his opponent — Edgar has spent decades competing at the highest levels of mixed martial arts. He averages 3.77 significant strikes per minute and contributes 2.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, demonstrating the well-rounded skill set that defined his long career.

Why it matters

• Dvalishvili is the top-ranked bantamweight in the world, giving this bout significant divisional weight
• Both fighters share the same height and reach, setting up a closely matched physical contest
• The addition of this pairing strengthens RAF 09 alongside the previously announced Steveson versus Romanov main event
• Edgar, at 44, brings legendary experience but faces a steep challenge against one of MMA's premier grapplers