Alves (8-2) is a 28-year-old native of São Paulo, Brazil who holds the rank of black belt in jiu-jitsu. Alves is replacing former RFA title challenger Zach Juusola, who was forced to withdraw from the bout due to injury. The Team Link representative has secured six of his eight career victories via submission since making his professional MMA debut in 2011. Two of those submission wins have come this year and he will look to stay perfect in 2015 as he makes his national television debut at RFA 26.

“I don’t know a lot about Marcus Edwards personally, but this will be a great opportunity for the both of us to show off our skills on national television. I look forward to going to his hometown and doing my job at RFA 26.”

Edwards (9-3) will be celebrating a double-homecoming at RFA 26. The 26-year-old Factory X Muay Thai standout will be returning to fight in his home state of Colorado for the first time since 2013, while also returning to AXS TV, where he fought three times in 2014.

RFA 26 will be headlined by a welterweight title bout as RFA welterweight champion Benjamin Smith (14-2) puts his title on the line against RFA #1 welterweight contender Gilbert Smith (10-4). The main card will also feature a pair of bantamweight bouts. NCAA Division I wrestler Jarred “Shutout” Mercado (12-2) will lock horns with jiu-jitsu black belt Bruno Frazatto (6-2), while Hawaiian knockout artist Boston “Boom Boom” Salmon (3-0) will clash with collegiate wrestler Danny Mainus (3-3). Also on the main card, former RFA middleweight title challenger Andrew “El Dirte” Sanchez (5-2) squares off with Respect FC and SFFN middleweight champion Clinton Williams (5-1) and undefeated heavyweight prospect Brandon Griffin (4-0) battles The MMA Lab destroyer Ashley Gooch (7-4).

Ben Smith vs Gilbert Smith

Thigo Alves vs Marcus Edwards

Jarred Mercado vs Brun Frazzato

Brandon Griffin vs Ashley Gooch

Andrew Sanchez vs Clinton Williams

Boston Salmon vs Danny Mainus