Merab Dvalishvili Dominates Frankie Edgar at RAF 9, Sets Sights on Henry Cejudo

Merab Dvalishvili showcased his wrestling prowess at RAF 9, decisively defeating UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar despite not having a traditional wrestling background. After a cautious beginning, Dvalishvili unleashed a barrage of offensive maneuvers, ultimately securing a commanding 12-1 lead that led to a technical fall victory.

The match kicked off with an early takedown attempt by Dvalishvili that Edgar successfully defended. However, the referee issued a warning for inactivity, resulting in a point deduction for Dvalishvili. Edgar held strong defensively, maintaining the match's intensity through the first period.

Once the second period began, Dvalishvili managed to score with a pushout before executing a single-leg takedown, effectively taking control of the match. A clash of heads temporarily halted the action, causing a minor injury to Dvalishvili, who recently dealt with a broken nose during training.

As the final period unfolded, Dvalishvili's dominance continued with another successful single-leg takedown. Although he attempted to turn Edgar with a leg lace, the referee intervened, leading to a stand-up. Nevertheless, Dvalishvili secured another takedown and, with a final turn, expanded his lead beyond ten points, clinching the technical fall.

With his sights now set on a matchup against rival Henry Cejudo, Dvalishvili expressed his eagerness to compete. “I want to call him out,” he stated. “He disappeared when I was ready. Henry, I hope you have big balls to go wrestling with me.” As he awaits a trilogy fight with current UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan, Dvalishvili is determined to stay active in the wrestling scene.