Frankie Edgar says RAF might have kept him from choosing UFC

Frankie Edgar believes he might never have moved into MMA and the UFC if Real American Freestyle had existed during his wrestling career. The former UFC lightweight champion made the reflection after defeating fellow UFC Hall of Famer Clay Guida by decision at RAF 11 on July 18.

Edgar and Guida had known each other for years without competing against one another. Their meeting finally came under the RAF banner, with Edgar taking the win in a wrestling contest between two veterans of the UFC.

The result also connected with Edgar’s own history in the sport. He wrestled 120 times at Clarion and qualified for nationals on several occasions, but there was no established professional route for wrestlers who wanted to continue competing after college. The main paths available to him were coaching or moving into mixed martial arts.

Edgar said he had received opportunities for graduate positions in college but had lost enthusiasm for wrestling after falling short of his targets. He instead moved towards MMA, a decision that eventually led to the UFC and a lightweight title reign. In his view, RAF could have provided another reason to remain on the wrestling path.

He now sees the promotion as a platform for both younger competitors and older wrestlers who want to continue in the sport. Edgar said professional wrestling competition is becoming more prominent and gives the wrestling community an option that was missing when he was coming through.

The sport also remains part of his family life. Both of Edgar’s sons wrestle, while his daughter has shown renewed interest after taking part in a tournament recently. His cousin was also a wrestler, adding another link to the family’s involvement in the discipline.

Edgar has retired from fighting but still wants to compete. He said wrestling allows him to satisfy that competitive urge while being less damaging to the brain than fighting, although it remains demanding on the body. He believes carefully selected opponents could allow him to put together a run in RAF.