Edgar and Henderson faceoff – Photo by Al Bello/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie ‘The Answer’ Edgar (14-2-1) has his rematch with newly crowned title holder Bensen Henderson, following some fierce negotiations between Edgar’s manager Ali Abdel-Aziz and the UFC matchmakers.
There had been talk of passing Edgar over for a new face, but after ‘The Answer’ re-matched each of his last two opponents, BJ Penn and Gray Maynard, the Ultimate Fighting Championship relented granting Edgar a chance to regain his title.
Part of those negotiations did involve the promotions president, Dana White, who was very vocal when speaking to the media that he wanted Edgar to drop to featherweight for an immediate title shot with 145-lbs champion Jose Aldo.
According to Abdel-Aziz, dropping down to featherweight wasn’t even a consideration for his fighter.
Abdel-Aziz was a guest on “The MMA Show with Mauro Ranallo” on Wednesday, along with UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz, to talk about Edgar’s rematch and the negotiations that took place between the two sides.
“It wasn’t at all (something Edgar considered),” Edgar’s manager Ali Abdel-Aziz told The MMA Show today. “It was out of the picture.”
“(Edgar vs. Henderson) was a great fight. Ben is a great fighter and a great champion, but we thought Frankie won the fight,” his manager said. “Frankie’s really excited to get back into the gym and get his title back. This is what he wants to do. I just want to thank the UFC for giving him the opportunity. This is why they are the best promotion in the world.”
“We met with Dana and Lorenzo (Fertitta) in New York last night,” he said. “We had a great meeting and they offered him an immediate title shot against Aldo, but Frankie said no, he’s staying at 155 for now. He’s going to try and get his title back and maybe after that he goes to 145.”
Henderson earned a decision over Edgar just a few short weeks ago in Japan in the main event of UFC 144.