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Frankie Edgar: ‘I Just Beat One of the Best… I'm the Next Contender'
Frankie Edgar has wanted another shot at Jose Aldo ever since the first time they met, when he failed to topple the venerable UFC featherweight champion.
That was in early 2013. Edgar has since reeled off four consecutive victories over four top tier fighters, the latest coming at UFC Fight Night 66 on Saturday.
Edgar’s win over Urijah Faber in Manila followed a streak that included a submission of Cub Swanson, a TKO stoppage of BJ Penn, and a unanimous decision over Charles Oliveira.
Many would argue that he earned another shot at the belt after dispatching Swanson, who had reportedly been in line for the shot had he defeated Edgar. The UFC instead turned to of its most polarizing figures, Irishman Conor McGregor, whose fame since entering the Octagon has rocketed off the charts. McGregor will challenge Aldo in the UFC 189 main event on July 11 in Las Vegas.
Having now won every round in his route of Faber, Edgar believes he can't be denied and wants his shot.
Asked during the UFC Fight Night 66 Post-Show on FOX Sports 1 if he felt he was now the No. 1 contender, Edgar didn’t waver.
“I am. I think I’ve been (the No. 1 contender),” he said. “I just beat one of the best guys that does our sport and I was able to beat him five rounds to nothing; close him out. I think I’m the next title contender.”
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Of course, there’s no guarantee that, even if he is labeled the No. 1 contender, he would get the next shot.
Aldo’s professional record currently stands at 35-1. His lone loss was nearly a decade ago in Brazil. He has since won 18 consecutive fights, including eight under the WEC banner and all seven of his fights in the Octagon. Aldo is the only featherweight champion the UFC has ever known, taking the honor when the UFC absorbed the WEC in 2011.
Even if he were to lose to McGregor in July, it would be highly likely that Aldo would be granted an immediate rematch.
It would probably favor Edgar’s chances of getting the next shot if Aldo were to win, even though the Brazilian already holds a victory over him.
If Edgar’s worst nightmare comes true and he is once again forced to wait for a title shot, what does he do? He is clearly the top contender beyond the Aldo vs. McGregor match-up, but what if there is an immediate rematch on tap following UFC 189 or an injury forces a lengthy delay?
Would Edgar sit idly by and bide his time waiting for a title shot?
“I’m not waiting. Anything can happen. Maybe McGregor will win and I’ll just have to fight him right away,” said Edgar. But that’s not something that he’s going to dwell in his mind between now and July.
“Let’s just hope that whoever wins, I fight him next.”
