On July 6, 2013, at UFC 162, former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar will face off against a game opponent in Charles Oliveira (16-3). Now, as the No. 3 featherweight in the world, Edgar (15-4) will attempt to return to his winning ways by defeating his Brazilian counterpart in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oliveira, although not ranked by the UFC, poses a significant threat to Edgar.
If Oliveira is successful at UFC 162, he will most likely earn himself a spot as a top-10 contender and extend Edgar’s losing streak to four in a row. If Edgar continues his losing ways, the one-time lightweight champion may find himself working for another organization following UFC 162.
Edgar’s Obstacle
Edgar, famous for his heart and ability to win against larger opponents, understands the obstacle that he faces at UFC 162. Oliveira is tall for his division (5’10”), and his strikes are precise and quick. He is also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist. He sports three Submission of the Night awards and boasts nine submissions to his credit.
Regarding the complex fighter that is Oliveira, Edgar recently stated to the UFC (via MMA Weekly):
He’s tough. He’s dangerous. Probably the tallest guy I may have ever fought. He’s got pretty good Muay Thai. He mixes it up well with kicks, knees, elbows. He’s got a slick submission game. He’s willing to go from (sic) broke to go for submissions.
However, Edgar is also renowned for his takedown defense. He has never been submitted in his professional career. To that, in his interview with the UFC, the New Jersey native continued:
For him to be able to take the fight to the ground, he has to be able to take me down. As long as I can defend takedowns pretty well, I can keep the fight standing or I can end up on top.
Heading into UFC 162, Edgar is a heavy favorite. Along with never having been submitted in a single bout, he has also never been knocked out. Edgar’s four losses were hard-fought wars, two of which earned Fight of the Night honors.
A Must-Win for Edgar
Despite Edgar’s fighting warrior spirit, the New Jersey native has lost all of his last three fights. His losses, accompanied by also having fought and lost to the division’s featherweight king, Jose Aldo, make his matchup against Oliveira all the more significant.
Therefore, at UFC 162, a win for Edgar is a must. A fourth straight loss would drop Edgar down the featherweight totem pole, destroy his championship title hopes and leave him vulnerable to being released by the largest mixed martial arts organization in the world—the UFC.
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