Frankie Edgar Defeats Clay Guida by 9-1 Score in RAF 11 Wrestling Bout
Frankie Edgar claimed a clear victory over Clay Guida in their long-awaited wrestling matchup at RAF 11, finishing with a 9-1 total score on Saturday night. The result marked the first time the two 44-year-old UFC veterans competed against each other, delivering a decisive performance from the former lightweight champion in the Real American Freestyle promotion.
Both fighters entered the contest as American standouts with deep wrestling roots and extensive mixed martial arts résumés. Edgar, representing Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu and hailing from Toms River, New Jersey, controlled the action across three rounds. Guida, competing out of Izzy Style Wrestling and listed from Round Lake, Illinois, managed only limited offense in the loss.
The official scorecard reflected Edgar’s steady edge early and his dominance late. He took the first round 1-0, then edged the second 2-1. The third period proved decisive, with Edgar pouring on a 6-0 advantage to seal the 9-1 final. He also recorded the match’s only two takedowns while holding Guida without a single successful takedown of his own.
This meeting carried extra weight because the pair never shared the UFC octagon during their overlapping careers. Both built reputations as high-volume, resilient lightweights who mixed sharp wrestling with relentless pace. Edgar captured the UFC lightweight title and made multiple defenses, while Guida earned the nickname “The Carpenter” through years of tough, fan-friendly performances and a previous run as Strikeforce lightweight champion. Fans had long wondered how their styles would match up on pure wrestling terms.
RAF 11 provided the stage in Milwaukee, where the promotion continues building a pro freestyle product that blends traditional scoring with spectator-friendly rules. Matches feature timed periods and point systems that reward takedowns, exposures, and control. Edgar’s two takedowns and the heavy third-round output fit that framework, showing he maintained better positioning and finishing ability as the contest progressed.
The scoring breakdown highlights how the bout unfolded. A narrow first round suggested an initial feeling-out process, with Edgar finding the first scoring chance. Guida responded in the second period to keep it competitive at 2-1, yet he could not sustain the pressure. By the third round the gap widened dramatically, pointing to superior conditioning or technical adjustments from Edgar that limited Guida’s entries and forced defensive wrestling for long stretches.
At 44 years old, both men remain active competitors outside the traditional MMA circuit. Their willingness to step onto the RAF mat underscores a growing trend of established combat sports names testing themselves in pure wrestling formats. Edgar’s background includes collegiate success and a long association with Ricardo Almeida’s gym, where he refined the grappling base that defined much of his UFC run. Guida’s early wrestling foundation, developed from childhood in Illinois, similarly shaped his aggressive, high-output style that carried him through more than two decades of professional fights.
The lopsided final round raises questions about how each fighter’s physical tools have aged. Edgar’s ability to accelerate late and secure multiple takedowns suggests he still possesses the timing and balance that once made him difficult to control. Guida’s zero takedown total and limited scoring opportunities indicate he struggled to impose his preferred pace once the match entered its later stages. These details matter for any future bookings in RAF or similar promotions, where consistent scoring and late-round durability often separate contenders.
Beyond the individual result, the bout adds another chapter to the careers of two fighters who helped define an era of lightweight competition. Neither needs additional validation after lengthy UFC tenures filled with memorable wars, yet both continue seeking competitive outlets. Edgar’s win provides a clean data point in that ongoing chapter, while Guida’s performance offers a baseline for how he might adjust if more wrestling matches appear on his schedule.
Looking forward, the RAF platform appears poised to host more crossovers involving combat sports veterans. Edgar and Guida now have a definitive head-to-head result after years of parallel paths. Whether either returns for additional RAF cards or explores other opportunities remains open, but Saturday’s 9-1 decision settles the immediate question of who holds the edge when their wrestling skills are placed under the same set of rules.
