Frankie Edgar may have lost the game of musical chairs but he got a front row seat to The Conor McGregor Show Saturday night at UFC 189.
The former lightweight champ was passed over to face McGregor for the interim featherweight title in favor of No. 1 ranked Chad Mendes. ‘Money’ did an admirable job given the lack of a training camp, taking the fight in just 18 days notice.
“I think it was going [Mendes’] way,” Edgar said post-fight at UFC 189. “He was able to get takedowns. Credit to Conor, he was able to stay composed and get back to his feet. Chad seemed to slow down, get tired. Taking a fight on short notice like that and Conor capitalized.”
Aided by a number of body shots from McGregor, Mendes’ cardio seemed to start waning early. Despite Mendes scoring four takedowns and controlling his opponent on the mat, McGregor managed to get back to his feet and score a TKO late in the second round.
“It wasn’t flashy or anything,” Edgar said of McGregor’s ground game. “He was able to, I guess, keep Chad at bay. [McGregor] was eating some big shots. I was just impressed how when he did get back to his feet he was composed.”
Sitting at No. 2 in the division’s rankings, Edgar wants a shot at McGregor while UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo recovers from his controversial rib injury.
“Actually I went up to the cage and told Conor ‘Congrats’ and that why don’t me and him do it before Aldo,” Edgar said. “Who knows how long Aldo’s going to take. Let me and him figure this out.”
Well, that’s not going to happen according to UFC president Dana White. But if Edgar and McGregor ever get together further down the line the former champ likes his chances.
“I don’t know,” said Edgar. “I move a little more than Chad. I think my takedowns are there, like his. I feel like I’ve got good ground and pound. I don’t really slow down too much.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Post show. Ariel Helwani, Marc Raimondi and Shaun Al-Shatti break down the top storylines coming out of UFC 189.
‘Seeing is believing.’ Chuck Mindenhall explains how UFC interim featherweight champion Conor McGregor came up big in his moment of truth.
‘Jose is a different beast.’ Chad Mendes gives his thoughts on the eventual showdown between UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor.
‘I’ve never disrespected the guy in my life.’ UFC president Dana White isn’t happy about how the media reported his comments regarding Jose Aldo’s rib injury and withdrawal from UFC 189. ‘I don’t even know what to call them that work in this business that own some of these websites.’
‘A fight like tonight can change you.’ Dana White says Rory MacDonald ‘didn’t know what year it was’ after his loss to welterweight champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 189.
MEDIA STEW
Octagon interviews with Conor McGregor, Chad Mendes and Robbie Lawler.
Dana White calls UFC 189 ‘best UFC ever.’
Highlights from the UFC 189 post-fight presser. (full presser here)
McGregor reacts to his big win.
UFC’s 2015 Hall of Fame recap.
Conor McGregor and Urijah Faber will coach lightweights from Europe and the U.S. for TUF 22.
Stephen Thompson with another KO.
Long watches.
Connor McGregor vs Chad Mendes (Gracie Breakdown)
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Ben Fowlkes Post- UFC 189 Breakdown: “Frankie Edgar will be licking his chops after that”
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TWEETS
See how the pros reacted to UFC 189 (here) and the TUF 21 Finale (here)
Victory lap.
We did it 🙂 pic.twitter.com/RHaIYyi9Ri
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 12, 2015
Thanks @rory_macdonald for an amazing fight!! Class act ,much respect for you!!
— robbie lawler (@Ruthless_RL) July 13, 2015
Ain’t shit changed, just needed to get back to who I am & what I do. Line em up, my mindset is back baby! #LilHeathen http://t.co/GwYs2w7CFA
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) July 12, 2015
Vitoria Brasil, segundo round, obrigado a todos a bandeira verde e amarela é minha maior motivação https://t.co/XnOgFCoMDQ
— Thomas Almeida (@ThomasalmeidaCB) July 12, 2015
Also thanks to Tim Means for being a true goddamn warrior and fighting me like a man. He told me he’ll be back and I believe him.
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) July 13, 2015
I want to thank all my friends, family, coaches, sponsors and everyone who came to the fight to… https://t.co/HdWHKKgYBF
— Alex Garcia (@AlexGarciaMMA) July 12, 2015
Thanks for the scrap @HenBriones @ufc @Reebok #UFC189 pic.twitter.com/ABIxvjMHXK
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) July 12, 2015
THANK YOU HAWAII AND EVERYONE FOR THE SUPPORT!!!!!!! THIS FIGHT WAS A HUGE DEAL FOR ME AND THANK YOU… https://t.co/lsCfFlkh4C
— Louis Smolka (@LASTSAMURAIUFC) July 12, 2015
Better luck next time.
broken nose broken foot but ill be back pic.twitter.com/KAakEC0qTh
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) July 12, 2015
thank you @Ruthless_RL @ufc @Firas_Zahabi this was the best time of my life, ill never forget this fight pic.twitter.com/vKgWD6mp6e
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) July 12, 2015
(seemed to be unconfirmed by Dana, FWIW)
Dana just offered me a rematch and I accepted. #192
— Dennis Bermudez (@MenaceBermudez) July 12, 2015
Really sorry if I let anyone down tonight truly gutted @ThomasalmeidaCB is a true talent and I wish him all the best in the future @ufc
— Brad Pickett (@One_Punch) July 12, 2015
Well wasn’t my night but I always learn from these things. Hats off to @IamTheImmortal. Heading home!
— tim means (@MeansTim) July 12, 2015
Sorry guys. Felt great walking out and in awesome shape, just couldn’t put it together how I wanted. Should of let loose more. #UFC189
— Mike Quick Swick (@officialswick) July 12, 2015
John was the better man tonight. No excuses.Thanks for the support. Failure defeats losers, but it inspires winners. pic.twitter.com/S65YRXJVZE
— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) July 12, 2015
The defeat will never taste good, but the Irish fans reconoscan you tried to knock until the last moment, they call you by your name and pilon tell you that you want in a function in Dublin. PRICELESS !! #TheBureArmy #ufc #MGMGRAND #MMA #Henrybriones
La derrota nunca va a tener buen sabor, pero que los Fans IRLANDESES reconoscan que dejaste todo, te… https://t.co/ABorHJGU1m
— Henry Bure Briones (@HenBriones) July 12, 2015
That’s the way it goes no bad blood here pic.twitter.com/HmXPlNwnRB
— Neil 2 Tap Seery (@NeilSeeryMMA) July 12, 2015
More reactions.
Let’s do this Robbie Lawler…. #BiggRigg is coming! https://t.co/BapxLZ8JXW pic.twitter.com/FEg7grTiJB
— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) July 12, 2015
Don’t need luck beat him once can do it again
— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) July 12, 2015
People caught up in Connor whirlwind forgetting 2 things. -Mendes was filming a hunting show and not training 2… http://t.co/eE7RKg76ls
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) July 12, 2015
Proud of @chadmendes thanks for saving the card and being a warrior that you are on 2 weeks notice!!
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) July 12, 2015
New European UFC CHAMPION??#AndNew Congrats @thenotoriousmma! #Repost @ufc with @repostap… http://t.co/XOUdm5kgEX pic.twitter.com/tP8A8r7VFc
— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) July 12, 2015
Lots of props to @chadmendes for taking this fight on 2 weeks notice and not make any excuses on loss!
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) July 12, 2015
As far as UFC memories I just had a great weekend. Thanks @Ruthless_RL and @ufc #UFCHallofFame
— Matt Hughes (@matthughes9x) July 12, 2015
Cool talking to a random guy @ breakfast whose first live fight card was last night, hooked for life now, truly appreciates all the fighters
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) July 12, 2015
Sitting next to a gentleman at breakfast who went to his first fight last night. Said it was the best thing he’d seen since Shania Twain lol
— Josh Samman (@JoshSamman) July 12, 2015
Congrats.
Tonight was such an amazing night! Thank you all so much for your support! Glory to God!
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) July 13, 2015
If u ever wondered how I had confidence standing with Silva, machida, and belfort it was because I was sparring @WonderboyMMA #thebest
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) July 13, 2015
Thanks @CubSwanson it was nice doing business with you! pic.twitter.com/usZra2IKPa
— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) July 13, 2015
Holy shit! I just took a piss in between Don Frye & Dan Severn! I woulda took my phone out but I didnt want to get my ass kicked. #Legendary
— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) July 12, 2015
Just bumped into @roynelsonufc and his new @corvette he always had power and now he has SPEED!! pic.twitter.com/o1g50U7N3X
— Dana White (@danawhite) July 13, 2015
Cool.
Jones is best ever https://t.co/vYkLtRutzc
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 13, 2015
TUF fun.
Looks Connor’s Jr high level wrestling hasn’t learned the drag re-drag drill yet. I’ve seen crack… https://t.co/MUSdGEXALh
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) July 11, 2015
Beef.
Maybe now @MeansTim can finally come get some ground game at @JacksonWinkMMA @GracieBarraNM we welcome you brother
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) July 12, 2015
@MeansTim still don’t know what it’s like to be #FINISHED I would be open to a 155 fight with you
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) July 12, 2015
@DiegoSanchezUFC lol then shut your mouth and come see me @170
— tim means (@MeansTim) July 12, 2015
Not a Conor fan?
Fake fights !! We will gonna be wwe, this is finish the line , I am so sad!
— Wanderlei Silva (@wandfc) July 13, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (July 10-12 2015)
NA
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via DROCK10.
You’re All Missing it. How McGregor really slayed the wrestler.
It was inevitable. It was unavoidable. It as even predicted. “IT”, is the excuse that Chad Mendez short camp is the real reason he lost, and not Conor McGregors unprecedented skills. I suppose I shouldn’t be shocked, Conor said it would happen, the internet said it would happen, and the way the fight appeared to go down, it’s not a completely ridiculous conclusion. However, I’d like to point out what everyone is missing. Conor said this was going to happen. Not that he would beat him in the 2nd round, but that Chad would take him down, and Conor would beat him up off his back, then stand up and beat him up on the feat. What you are all missing is that Conor speaks exactly the way he fights. 90% of it is for show, but if you listen closely, you can see the truth hiding behind all those fancy kicks; In this fight, the truth was Conors strategy, the most efficient man wins.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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