Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
UFC Busan’s Frankie Edgar is still targeting bantamweight gold 30 fights deep into his lengthy MMA career.
Frankie Edgar may have a featherweight fight lined up this weekend against “The Korean Zombie” at UFC Busan, but the former UFC lightweight champion has said he still plans to move down to 135 pounds to try and capture the belt in that weight class.
Edgar (22-7-1) withdrew from a bantamweight fight against Cory Sandhagen that was scheduled for January of next year to fight Chan Sung Jung at UFC Busan, after Jung’s original opponent Brian Ortega pulled out of the fight with a knee injury. Talking recently to MMA Fighting, Edgar spoke about still wanting to drop down to bantamweight in the future.
“I still planning on making the move down to 135,” Edgar said. “I want to work my way towards the title. I still have those aspirations.
“I feel like if you’re in this sport and you’re not trying to be the best then maybe you shouldn’t be in the sport. I still want to be the best.”
The 38-year-old has been fighting at featherweight for over six years, and despite two cracks at the title and one interim title shot, Edgar has never got his hands on 145-pound gold. “The Answer” is expecting a tough fight out of his opponent Jung this weekend.
“The guy comes forward. He hits hard. Obviously he’s got a good submission game. He’s called the “Zombie,” Edgar said. “I’m expecting this dude to come at me with everything that he has.
“He’s in his home country and I’m sure he wants to put on a great performance. I’m going to have my hands full but that’s why I do this. I fight to fight the best guys and I think “Zombie” is one of them.”
UFC Busan takes place this Saturday, December 21st, at the Sajik Arena in Busan, South Korea. Edgar vs. Jung will headline the card.