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Mark Munoz Plans on Making His Case for Title Contention Against Weidman

The biggest fight in UFC history went down this weekend. The organization’s greatest champion, Anderson Silva, dispatched of his nemesis Chael Sonnen in dramatic fashion. It was a legacy solidifying performance which not only raised Silva higher on the “greatest of all-time” pedestal, but ultimately increased the focus put on who could be the next contender in the middleweight division.

There are a handful of fighters who are jockeying for the position and Mark Munoz is at the forefront of the charge.

“The Filipino Wrecking Machine” has been on a mission to reach the top of the mountain at 185 pounds since joining the weight class in 2009. He has hammered and slammed his way to victory in seven out of his last eight outings, including the current four fight win streak he is currently riding.

Munoz knows he’s in a race for the number one contender’s position and has every intention on making his case this Wednesday in San Jose. As the main event of UFC on Fuel TV, Munoz faces rising star Chris Weidman. The Long Island native has proven to be a difficult puzzle to solve but Munoz believes he has what it takes to get the job done.

“Weidman and I match up very well,” Munoz told Bleacher Report. “We are both wrestlers and he uses his length very well in his striking. He does a good job of transitioning from his striking to his takedowns and his jiu-jitsu is solid. He’s a really good fighter and I’m looking forward to mixing it up with him.”

“There are a lot of similarities between us but the biggest difference is the power I possess. I’m definitely going to look to take advantage of that and put the power on him. I also see conditioning being a factor in this fight. I’m ready to take this fight into deep water if I have to. Deep water is where all the sharks are and I feel I’m one of the sharks of this weight class and I’ll take advantage of that in this fight.”

“When I get into that Octagon it is going to be nothing short of fireworks. I’m bringing the forward motion and there are going to be bombs flying. That is just my style. I look to finish every fight and this fight is not going to be any different. It’s the attitude I bring each and every fight and that is not going to change.”

There is talk of the winner of this bout becoming the next contender to Anderson Silva’s middleweight crown. While it is a position Munoz longs to be in, the circumstances surrounding the fight are not unfamiliar territory to the former national champion collegiate wrestler.

He was scheduled to face Chael Sonnen at UFC on Fox 2 this January in Chicago for the same honors but an injury suffered in the final weeks of his training camp put Munoz on the sidelines. Instead he was forced to watch Sonnen and Michael Bisping battle for the chance to face Silva. It was a difficult situation for Munoz but his support structure and constant positivity helped to bring things back into focus.

“When I got injured and couldn’t fight Chael Sonnen in January I was definitely bummed out,” Munoz said. “The wind was out of my sails and I was really down for awhile. I had to dig myself out and find a positive note in the experience. There were a lot of people who encouraged me and helped bring me out of it. They reminded me that this is my story and how overcoming adversity can only serve to make me a better person.”

“I truly believe the experiences you have are what shape and mold you into the person you are today and tomorrow. Adversity is what polishes the diamond. I’m going to cling to that. I’m going to have a positive attitude and keep doing what I’m doing. Unfortunate things happen but life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it. I have to remain positive because if I allow things to get me down they will only seep into the other areas of my life and I refuse to let that happen.”

Where circumstance dictated his ability to advance towards his goal earlier in the year, it is once again circumstance which has brought the opportunity back to within reach. Munoz’s focus on this fight is intense but it hasn’t prevented him from hearing his peers make their case for title contention.

While he might not agree with their points of view, he knows a definitive win over Weidman will strengthen his case and silence some of his critics.

“There are a lot of keyboard warriors out there who voice their opinion,” Munoz said. “Everyone is of course entitled to their opinion but I’ve trained and worked hard to get where I am. I fight whoever the UFC gives me. I show up on that date and fight to the best of my ability. I have faced quality opponents and if some people can’t see that; there is nothing I can do about it. I know where I stand. I know where I’m at in the division. I’m only going to keep improving and pursuing the opportunity to fight for the title.”

“To be a contender in this division is a badge I wear proudly. I’ve worked very hard for it and I’m looking to keep this streak alive when I get past Weidman. There is a lot being said about the weight class lately. I’ve heard a lot of guys talking about how they deserve a title shot but I don’t feel any is more deserving than me.”

“I need to make a statement in this fight. A win in this fight is going to be big but a finish against Weidman will solidify my place as the number one contender in the middleweight division.”

In a sport where timing is everything, Munoz knows each opportunity has to be capitalized upon. He understands this is his moment to step up to the plate and take what he feels is deserved. The task ahead will not be easy but Munoz wouldn’t have it any other way.

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UFC 148: Forrest Griffin Ready to Close out Trilogy with Tito Ortiz

Forrest Griffin’s attention during fight week is difficult to come by.The former UFC light heavyweight champion is no stranger to the hustle and bustle of the media grind or fans shouting his name in hopes of catching a picture or autograph. But with h…

Forrest Griffin‘s attention during fight week is difficult to come by.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion is no stranger to the hustle and bustle of the media grind or fans shouting his name in hopes of catching a picture or autograph. But with his showdown against Tito Ortiz quickly approaching, the only thing Griffin truly wants to do is fight.

He knows what he needs to do in order to claim victory against Ortiz, because he has done it before. He is also well aware of how the little things can make the difference between a win or loss, because Griffin has stood on that side of the line as well.

Being a veteran of the sport has taught Griffin many lessons. He knows it could all go silent should he fail to complete the task at hand.

That motivates him to push further.

His work ethic is second to none, and Griffin knows the fans are showing up to see him give it all.

If something gets lost in the exchange from catching a photo-op on his downtime to not acknowledging onlookers during open workouts, focus prevents this from bothering him.

It’s not that he doesn’t want your admiration and support, but on this particular fight week, the only thing he cares about right now is Tito Ortiz.

“The unfortunate thing about being a recognizable figure in the sport is that I get the most attention or whatever when I’m in the worst mood,” Griffin told Bleacher Report in an exclusive interview. “I’m actually a nice, approachable person but during fight week, at airports or when I’m with my daughter I’m not.”

“If I met you on the second day of the Boston Fan Expo and I was dismissive to you I really did have food poisoning. That’s how I know I’m famous because I’ve used both exhaustion and food poisoning as excuses for my behavior. Next I’ll use dehydration and hit the trifecta of famous people excuses.

“People are still mean to me about the second day of the Boston Expo. Apparently I was dismissive and short with people when they came to get photos or whatnot. I really do try but during fight week I’m saving my energy man. I’m appreciative of the fans coming out, make no mistake about it, but I look at it as if I lose this fight people are not going to care about me anyways. I feel like if you just win your fights then can kind of do what you want to do.”

Saturday night will mark the third meeting between the two former champions. Both of their previous affairs ended in split-decision with Griffin and Ortiz each claiming a win apiece.

This fight comes under different circumstances, as Ortiz has announced this will be his final showing inside the Octagon. Griffin intends to put a damper on “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’s” send off party and in the process erase any talk that he is on the same path.

“Getting motivated for this fight has been easy,” Griffin said. “The first two fights were close split-decisions. It is a big opportunity to get a win over a good name and a quality opponent. It’s a chance to get back on track to where I want to be. I’m getting the win. Somehow some way I’m going to pull that ‘W’ out.”

“I’ve heard a lot of talk about me retiring. I’m not retiring. I work two times a year for a total of 30 minutes. Every time after I fight I take a month off. I just want to make sure I win a couple fights a year. My whole thing in fighting is to never lose two in a row. Obviously I’ve done that once and don’t recommend it.”

Griffin’s journey through the UFC has been a roller coaster ride filled with successes and setbacks. After winning the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter, he became one of the most recognizable faces in the sport. Few imagined the Georgia native would ascend to the top of the rankings, but Griffin silenced his critics after defeating Quinton “Rampage” Jackson to claim the UFC light heavyweight title.

He would relinquish the belt in his next outing, but the achievement was set in stone. The achievement meant no one could deny he had made a mark on the sport, and when you tack two N.Y. Times Best-Selling books onto his resume, it’s clear Griffin has come a long way over the past seven years.

“I’m going to continue fighting and I’m going to continue writing books but accomplishments don’t mean anything because you don’t stop in the middle to look back,” Griffin said. “I have a great a great analogy I meant to put in the book and I’m not sure if it made it in there. When you are climbing a mountain you don’t look up towards the peak which is your ultimate goal and you don’t look down where you’ve already been. You keep your eyes right in front of you on the next hand hold or the next foot hold.”

“You have to think of life that way. Don’t get too far ahead of yourself and don’t revisit the past too much. Stay in the moment. Actually Bruce Lee told me that before he died. It was amazing. He told me that in a dream with David Bowie but it was a weird thing.”

Due to the 4th of July holiday, Forrest Griffin was kind enough to break down a few things American and a little more MMA for our Bleacher Report readers. Here is a list of quick hits.

How the Interview began:

“Why don’t you ask me about my game plan. That is always a great one.”

How Griffin celebrates Independence Day during fight week:

“I live everyday like it’s the 4th of July. Lots of guns and red meat. I’m actually thinking about hiring a Sarah Palin look-alike who pole dances. That sounds pretty patriotic.”

Griffin’s thoughts on Tito Ortiz’s head size:

“Tito’s head is big and that makes it easier to hit but I’ll tell you what—when it is on top of you and pushing into you that thing is no joke. It sucks.”

Who is more American: Ted Nugent or Willie Nelson?

“Man that is a tough one but I’m going go with Ted Nugent because the last time I saw him Ted had some wounded veterans out at his compound shooting machine guns. In my book veterans shooting machine guns is as American as it gets.”

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UFC 148: Mike Easton Prepares to Unleash the Beast

When the cage door closes, Mike Easton wants to smash.Much like the gamma ray-affected comic book hero he takes his nickname from, this bantamweight “Hulk” unleashes his power in the hopes of destroying anything in his path.While Easton may have more s…

When the cage door closes, Mike Easton wants to smash.

Much like the gamma ray-affected comic book hero he takes his nickname from, this bantamweight “Hulk” unleashes his power in the hopes of destroying anything in his path.

While Easton may have more self-control than his fictional counterpart, make no mistake about it—once the switch is flipped, he’s not stopping until the opposition is reduced to rubble.

This Saturday night at UFC 148 in Las Vegas, the object standing in his way will be Ivan Menjivar. While Easton will show respect and good will towards his opponent, once it is time to show and prove, Menjivar will become the next obstruction between Easton and his dreams of becoming a UFC champion.

Easton’s road began on the hard-knock streets of a Washington D.C. neighborhood. If Easton’s vision of destiny is correct, that road will end with championship gold around his waist.

“I grew up in a rough area and you come to understand people are people,” Easton told Bleacher Report in an exclusive interview. “You show respect and you get respect back. That’s just how it is. In my last fight with Jared Papazian, He stepped over the line. All that mean mugging and trash talk doesn’t work for me and I let him know it. All it did was fire me up and I took it out on him.”

“For me this journey is a spoken word. I’ve talked about being in the UFC since I was 17. I’ve said it from day one I was going to be a champion in the UFC. I believe my words have power and this is destiny. I spoke this into existence. I spoke it into my life and it’s happening. Nothing is going to stop me.”

At UFC 148 Easton will bring his momentum and energy into battle against an opponent who is experiencing a career resurgence. Menjivar has faced his fair share of struggles, but over the last three fights has found his rhythm. The “Pride of El Salvador” has notched three consecutive victories inside the Octagon.

But Easton believes that run will come to an end in devastating fashion.

“I think the fight with Ivan Menjivar is a perfect matchup for me,” Easton said. “Right now I feel my stand up is on another level and flat out better than his. I’m the hardest-hitting fighter in the 135-pound division. I hit harder than anybody else – period.

“I know he’ s experienced, but I’m very experienced as well. I started mixed martial arts when I was 17. I turned pro in 2002. It’s one of those things where people want to talk about his experience, but what about mine? What about the guys I train with or the guys I’ve fought?

“I know he’s tough but I’m going in to fight. Ivan is an incredible fighter but he’s never fought Mike Easton. He’s never faced anyone who has my style. He’s never seen my look before. I’m a completely different fighter than anything he’s ever stepped in against and he’s about to find out what that means.

“I’m looking to finish him. I’m going to put the pressure on him and that’s it. All he needs to know is I’m coming to fight and I’m coming to put it on him. Hopefully he’s ready.”

A victory over Menjivar at UFC 148 has the potential to propel Easton from touted prospect to contender status. After the injury suffered by champion Dominick Cruz, the bantamweight divisional doors have been opened. Easton sees this as the perfect opportunity to make his name and show fans what he brings to the table.

“The bantamweight division is one of the best in the UFC,” Easton said. “My boy Dominick Cruz is hurt right now and somebody has to pick up the slack. I believe that’s my job. I can’t wait to get that belt around my waist and no one is going to stop me. I’m ready to show the world what I can do.

“I’m an exciting fighter and I bring power into the cage. I have devastating power. If people have watched my fights they will see any time my opponents get hit, they start running. People come into these fights with a game plan, thinking they can handle it. But once I land on them, it changes everything.

“I’m bringing that devastation to the bantamweight division. I’m a finisher and that’s what I love to do. I want to show the fans that a 135 pound fighter can be a finisher and that’s what they are going to see out of Mike Easton.”

The “Hulk” smashes and that is what Mike Easton plans to do. All the way to a world title.

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Silva vs. Sonnen 2: 5 Middleweights Anxiously Awaiting the Outcome of UFC Bout

One week from today, the most anticipated rematch in UFC history will finally be settled.Anderson Silva, the fighter regarded by many to be the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, will attempt to silence Chael Sonnen once and for all.With their …

One week from today, the most anticipated rematch in UFC history will finally be settled.

Anderson Silva, the fighter regarded by many to be the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, will attempt to silence Chael Sonnen once and for all.

With their first clash resulting in an instant classic, all eyes in the MMA world will be fixed on the main event of UFC 148.

This go-around will come in just shy of two years since the two fighters first squared off at UFC 117. The division in which they are competing to champion looks much different than it did in 2010.

Leading up to their first fight, Sonnen was thought to be the final contender left in a division Anderson Silva had ravaged and conquered.

But when they collide on July 7th in Las Vegas, a weight classes’s upper tier once considered thin, now has a handful of contenders eagerly awaiting their shot at middleweight gold.

Mark Munoz

The former NCAA Division I national champion wrestler’s hard work has certainly paid off.

After entering the WEC as a light heavyweight, Munoz turned up his intensity and commitment to his goal of becoming one of the best fighters in the world.

Following his decision to drop to 185 pounds, “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” has won seven out of eight, including four consecutive wins inside the Octagon.

Following his victory over Chris Leben at UFC 138, Munoz made his title intentions known as he addressed his friend and former training partner, Anderson Silva.

While his title hopes wouldn’t come to fruition, the UFC granted him a matchup with Sonnen at UFC on Fox 2 in Chicago. Unfortunately, an injury would force him to withdraw from the bout and temporarily sideline him from the title race.

Up next, Munoz faces rising star Chris Weidman. He will have the power advantage when the two square off, and if Munoz can implement his brutal brand of ground and pound, it could be the factor which tips the affair.

Michael Bisping

UFC fans may not clamor and throw praise on Michael Bisping, but the former TUF winner has proven himself to be a legit threat at the 185-pound throne.

The brash Brit had put together four in a row before he came up on the losing end of a judge’s decision against Chael Sonnen.

Bisping replaced Munoz in the bout and was able to use his footwork to keep Sonnen off-balance.

For his next outing, he was supposed to face Tim Boetsch at UFC 149, but the injury bug bit again and forced Bisping to withdraw.

There has been no date set for his return, but “The Count” has been vocal about his place in the division.

He believes he is closer to a title shot than most, and if he can put two solid wins together, he just might get there.

Hector Lombard

Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney has never been shy in his belief that Hector Lombard can beat Anderson Silva. Thanks to an exodus to the UFC, the fight could become a reality.

The former Bellator middleweight champion will enter the organization on a 24-fight win streak. Lombard’s resume and name recognition have immediately put him into the mix in the division’s upper tier.

He was originally slated to face Brian Stann in his debut, but after the “All-American” injured his shoulder, the fight was scrapped. Following the injury suffered by Bisping, Lombard was tapped to step into the fight with Tim Boetsch, and the two will meet at UFC 149 next month in Calgary.

Lombard will bring his one-punch-sleeper power and his Olympic-level judo to the sport’s biggest stage.

Although he hasn’t been defeated in nearly six years, Lombard has received criticism for his lack of high-profile opposition. This will not be the case in the UFC where Lombard will face legitimate tests at every turn.

Should he find victory against Boetsch, Lombard could be one fight away from a title shot. If he is defeated, consider the Lombard hype train derailed.

Alan Belcher

There was a time where Alan Belcher was a fighter unable to grasp his full potential.

Despite game performances, “The Talent” was stuck in a pattern of “two steps forward, one step back.” Fortunately for Belcher, this trend appears to have been broken and he has notched four consecutive victories.

In his most recent outing against the dangerous submission artist Rousimar Palhares, Belcher proved he is a threat no matter where the fight takes place.

He was able to fend of Palhares’ signature leg attack before pounding out a TKO stoppage late in the first round. The performance signaled Belcher’s arrival to the mix of contenders at 185 pounds.

During the fight with Palhares, he suffered an injury to his right hand which has him on the shelf for an uncertain amount of time.

When he returns to action, it will undoubtedly come against one of the division’s best. If he can continue his impressive run, a title shot will appear on the horizon.

Chris Weidman

At this time last year, the former two-time All-American wrestler was a prospect on the rise.

Impressive outings in his first two appearances under the UFC banner led to stronger competition, and Chris Weidman was able to answer those challenges.

While he looked fantastic in his victory over Tom Lawlor, Weidman’s performance against Demian Maia left much to be desired. He stepped up on 11 days notice to take the fight and ultimately looked sluggish despite earning the victory.

Up next he will face his biggest test to date in Mark Munoz.

With strong wrestling and a solid jiu-jitsu game, Weidman will find out exactly where he stands in the divisional hierarchy when he faces Munoz.

Should the New York native be able to best “The Filipino Wrecking Machine,” the transition from prospect to contender will be complete.

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UFC 148: Chad Mendes Through the Fire and Back

In the competitive world of mixed martial arts, contenders rise and fall frequently. Prospects are battle tested in the hopes that one day they will become champions.Chad Mendes carried his unbeaten record into the lion’s den of Rio de Janeiro to face …

In the competitive world of mixed martial arts, contenders rise and fall frequently. Prospects are battle tested in the hopes that one day they will become champions.

Chad Mendes carried his unbeaten record into the lion’s den of Rio de Janeiro to face a fighter heralded as one of the pound-for-pound best in Jose Aldo. The featherweight champion was able to finish the bout in the closing seconds of the opening round and Mendes found himself in the unfamiliar territory of the loss column.

He knows the way to the top of the division, but now Mendes will be fighting to work his way back. That journey begins at UFC 148, when he steps into the Octagon with TUF alum Cody McKenzie, and the Team Alpha Male fighter is eager to return to his winning ways.

“I can honestly say going into the fight with Aldo was the best I’ve ever felt,” Mendes said in an exclusive interview with Bleacher Report. “I was the most mentally clear I’ve ever been. Physically, I felt I was so prepared. Going over to Brazil was something I knew I had to do and I factored that into my preparation. Leading up to the fight, I had already traveled there for the press conference, so I knew what the flight was going to be like and how to adjust.

“For whatever reason, the press in Brazil loved me and treated me great. I had a lot of support going into that fight and the fans in Brazil were awesome. I was super ready and honestly, fighting in that environment didn’t bother me. When I was standing in the cage, waiting for Aldo to come out, my mind was clear. I can remember everything.

“Normally, that isn’t the case because nerves take over and you rely on instinct. It just wasn’t my night and I got caught. Hopefully, that was a huge learning experience for me and my mind will be clear like that for every fight. I’m definitely working on the things I messed up on and I’m ready to get in there and destroy people.”

When Mendes steps back into the Octagon in Las Vegas, he will be standing across from Cody McKenzie. The Alaskan is known for his awkward style and his ability to catch his opponents in his signature version of the guillotine submission known as “The McKenzietine.”

Mendes is well aware of the dangers McKenzie presents and is prepared for whatever comes his way.

“It is a very weird matchup with McKenzie, but I’m not taking him lightly at all,” Mendes said. “Cody is a very funky fighter. Growing up as a wrestler, there are types of wrestlers you would look at and think you were going to destroy them, but they have some weird, funky way about them where they either keep it close or find a way to win.

“I learned that lesson in wrestling and I’m not looking past him at all. I’ve trained hard, as I always do. Obviously, I’ve worked a lot on guillotines because I know that is his bread and butter. He catches a lot of guys with it. I’m going into this fight like it is for the world title.

“I pride myself on conditioning. I’m a very high-paced fighter and I like to break down my opponents. I started wrestling when I was five years old. I’ve wrestled my entire life; it’s my base, and I have that wrestling mentality. When I step into the Octagon, fans are going to see a fast pace and I’m going to grind down my opponent. Whether it is elbows, punches or big knees, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get the win.”

A victory at UFC 148 will put Mendes back on track and return his focus to the ultimate goal of becoming a world champion. Whereas the featherweight divisional elite was just a handful of fighters, over the past six months, the landscape has changed, as several future contenders have emerged. Mendes is excited to face the challenges ahead and feels his weight class is long overdue for center-stage attention.

“The division is starting to get more recognition,” Mendes said. “I think we should have been getting the recognition all along, but it was the WEC then and it is what it is. People looked at the WEC like it was a minor league, but now the two organizations merged and it’s the UFC. People look at things differently. Now that it’s all under one umbrella, people are starting to realize how exciting this division is.

“A lot of the 155 pound fighters are starting to drop down to featherweight and that is only making the weight class more competitive. Bigger names are coming into the division and that is helping build it up as well. The fans are going to see some excellent fights.”

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The Fighting Life: Former UFC Champion Frankie Edgar Fights for Family

The life of a professional fighter is filled with uncertainty; their successes and failures play out in the public eye for all to see.When the cage door closes and the battle of wills begin, it becomes a matter of opportunity. One walks away victorious…

The life of a professional fighter is filled with uncertainty; their successes and failures play out in the public eye for all to see.

When the cage door closes and the battle of wills begin, it becomes a matter of opportunity. One walks away victorious, the other defeated, the outcome sometimes determined by only the slightest of margins.

What happens under the bright lights is what the fans are left to debate, but rarely are they given a glimpse into what it takes to make the walk to the cage in the first place.

This is what the climb looks like— told in their words. This is “The Fighting Life.”

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New Jersey is known for having a distinct brand of toughness.

Long before an MTV reality show washed over the public consciousness, “The Garden State” had a long history of delivering blue collar heroes who weren’t afraid to chin-check the system.

Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar is the living definition of what his home state represents. A perpetual underdog, with an undersized frame and an over-sized heart, Edgar has the displayed the kind of grit that legends are made of.

But long before the Toms River native dethroned a fighter widely accepted as the best lightweight fighter of all time, he was testing his mettle and finding out what he was made of.

“I wonder sometimes why I’m so competitive, but I’ve been that way since I was a little kid,” Edgar told Bleacher Report in an exclusive interview. “Everyone got into fights when they were little, but I loved scrapping when I was a kid—even the stupid stuff where my cousin would set up a fight with some new kid in the neighborhood. He would be my corner man and the other guy would have a corner man, and we would throw down. We were just kids fighting, but I was always kind of good at it. I guess it took.

“I have an older cousin and I used to roll with him and his friends. When you hang with the older kids you have to be able to compete with them in different aspects of life, and I was able to do that even at a young age. I believe that played a part in who I became and what I do now.“

Edgar carried his hunger to scrap and tenacity to the wrestling mats of Clarion University, where he garnered All-American honors. While he turned to mixed martial arts following his time at CU, the inspiration to do so came when he watched a fellow college wrestling standout make his mark on a ground breaking reality show.

“I was wrestling in college during my senior year and it was the first year The Ultimate Fighter was on television,” Edgar said. “I watched the show and Josh Koscheck was one of the contestants. We both wrestled in the same conference in college, and our teams competed against one another all the time. Right then it caught my eye and since there were other wrestlers on the show, I knew I wanted to give it a try after college. As soon as I graduated, I found a place and started training. I’ve been at it ever since.”

To say Edgar’s career hit the ground running would be an understatement. “The Answer” rolled through his first eight opponents, three of which came under the UFC banner. After facing a setback against future rival Gray Maynard, Edgar notched three more victories to earn his first title opportunity against MMA legend B.J. Penn.

Despite his underdog status, Edgar rose to the occasion on back-to-back outings to defeat the former two-divisional champion. In doing so, he ushered in a new era for the 155-pound division.Edgar went from the fighter no one gave a chance to one of the brightest stars in the sport.

“When I got to the UFC and won my first fight, I knew I could make a career of this. But as far as becoming a champion, I knew after defeating Sean Sherk,” Edgar said. “While that fight was going on, in my head I was thinking this guy is a former champion and I’m beating him. There is no reason I can’t be the lightweight champion.

“I think B.J. Penn did a great job of leading the lightweight division for a long time, but the sport grew pretty quickly and the 155-pound division became extremely competitive. After I was able to defeat him, there were a lot of guys on my heels.

“I took things as they came and I never get too caught up in the hype. In reality, I was winning these fights, but I was still the underdog. I never felt like people were putting me on a different level. I was still fighting my way up out of the basement. I still feel that way today with everyone telling me to drop down to 145 pounds. I mean, yeah I get it, and I see why fans would be interested. But I don’t pay attention to it.”

Immediately following his victories over Penn, he locked into two fierce battles with Gray Maynard. After their five-round war at UFC 125 ended in a draw, a third bout took place at UFC 136. While this fight had a similar start, the ending was conclusive as Edgar scored a fourth-round knockout over “The Bully.”

Settling the trilogy with Maynard reopened the doors to the division. Waiting on the other side was former WEC champion Benson Henderson. The two warriors locked up in the main event at UFC 144 in Japan, with Edgar coming out on the losing side of the judge’s decision.

Following the event, it appeared as if the UFC was going to demote the dethroned champion. But just as Edgar had afforded his past opponents the opportunity for immediate rematches, he spoke up and demanded that he be given the same courtesy. The UFC brass obliged, and he will have the chance to regain his title at UFC 150 in August.

“Being on the other side of this title fight really does feel the same,” Edgar said. “A rematch is a rematch. The only difference is going to be that I will walk out first. That’s really about it. The want is very much still there. Before the want was to keep the title, and now the want is to get it back. I have the same exact drive and there is really no difference for me.”

As the title fight draws closer, Edgar’s focus will become razor sharp. The hours in the gym will increase. The thoughts of Henderson, the fighter, will become more intense as he attempts to push himself further than he ever has before. All of this is done in hopes he will someday create a better life for the family who sacrifices everything alongside of him. Those are the people who matter the most. And when his career is said and done, he fought for them with everything he had to give.

“Sometimes it’s tough just being away,” Edgar said. “Not just being away from my family, but training as well. You make do and train where you can, but there is nothing like being home. Your family suffers a little bit with you having to be away from home. But hopefully I am creating a better future for them by doing the things I do.

“There are no hidden doors with me. I’m a regular guy, like a cop or a plumber, who has a family. Except I happen to be a fighter. I’m a regular dude—probably as regular as they come. I care what the fans think, and I want them to hold me in a high regard. But it’s more about my kids. I want them to know their dad was a tough dude who never gave up and always tried his hardest.

“If I can accomplish that, then I’m a happy man.”

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