"Nose was fine before" - Merab Dvalishvili talks broken nose after RAF 9 win, potential opponents in UFC and RAF

Merab Dvalishvili has earned plaudits for his exceptional overall grappling prowess, including a relentless style of wrestling, in the sport of MMA. The Georgian-American fighter recently forayed into the sport of freestyle wrestling as well, competing under the RAF (Real American Freestyle) wrestling banner. 

The former UFC bantamweight champion took on former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, with the two martial artists clashing in a lightweight wrestling match at RAF 9 on May 30, 2026. 

Dvalishvili emerged victorious via technical fall (12-1) in the match's third period, following which he discussed his broken nose and possible next matchups. 

Merab Dvalishvili talks about the broken nose he suffered against Frankie Edgar at RAF 9

During a post-match media scrum, Merab Dvalishvili was asked about whether he broke his nose during his aforementioned wrestling matchup against UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar. The 35-year-old acknowledged that he did suffer a broken nose but reassured that it won't hinder his performances. 

The veteran fighter expressed his respect for Edgar. Also, he suggested that he's dealt with such nose injuries multiple times and that such setbacks are simply a part of the combat sports world.

Dvalishvili stated, "Yeah. Nose was fine before. But I guess I got a headbutt. It was headbutt and broke (it). But who cares? You know? I broke my nose many times. It's never stopped me. It's never gonna stop me... This is just nose broken. That's what we do. And it's all good." 

 

Watch Merab Dvalishvili discuss the topic below (*comments at the 1:05-minute mark of the video): 

Merab Dvalishvili names his potential next opponents in the RAF and the UFC

Merab Dvalishvili's most recent professional mixed martial arts bout witnessed him lose his UFC bantamweight title via unanimous decision against Petr Yan in December 2025. Dvalishvili had previously beaten Yan via unanimous decision in a non-title bout back in 2023. 

For his part, Yan recently underwent back surgery. Dvalishvili indicated that he'd spoken to UFC CBO Hunter Campbell, who'd stated that the Yan trilogy matchup would be next. 

Around the 2:50-minute mark of the aforementioned post-match RAF 9 media scrum video, Dvalishvili said, "I think it (Yan) is a good fight. I think Yan is the best guy right now. He beat me." 

Furthermore, Dvalishvili alluded to his unanimous decision victory over former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo in their MMA clash in the UFC from 2024. Incidentally, his RAF debut was to come against Cejudo, who's also an Olympic gold medalist freestyle wrestler, but the latter withdrew and was replaced by Edgar. 

On one hand, Dvalishvili is keen on having Yan as his next opponent in the UFC to reclaim his bantamweight belt. On the other hand, "The Machine" has issued a callout to Cejudo for his next wrestling match in the RAF.