Frankie Edgar (15-3-1) will be looking to make history on Saturday night when he squares off against current featherweight champion Jose Aldo (21-1).
If Edgar beats Aldo at UFC 156, he’ll become just the third fighter in UFC history to win a championship in two different divisions.
With Edgar dropping down to the 145-pound division, he’ll be at a disadvantage against an opponent in Aldo who has experience fighting at the lighter weight.
With Aldo having not fought in more than a year, it’ll be intriguing to see how this fight plays out.
Here are three things to watch for in Aldo vs. Edgar at UFC 156.
Aldo’s Striking Abilities
When Aldo is right, he can contend with the top fighters in the UFC.
He’s got deadly striking combos, especially with his feet, meaning Edgar will have to be on the lookout for swift shin kicks that can be devastating.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Aldo has outlanded his opponents by 106 strikes in WEC/UFC fights, which doesn’t translate into good news for his opponent.
If this becomes a primarily stand-up fight, Aldo will be retaining his title on Saturday night.
Edgar’s Wrestling History
Born and raised at the Jersey Shore, Edgar was a stud wrestler at Toms River High School East and Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and has carried those skills into the UFC.
Using his background as a wrestler and possessing excellent ground moves, Edgar undoubtedly has the advantage if he can get Aldo on the ground and into submission.
Edgar also has the advantage in cardio, as Aldo hasn’t fought since Jan. 14, 2012 after missing most of the season, partially due to a motorcycle crash.
If Edgar can take this thing to the ground and keep it there, he’ll come out with the victory.
Aldo’s Eye Injury
It’s never good to give your opponent an area to hone in on, but Edgar may be looking to do some further damage to the left side of Aldo’s face on Saturday night to make this fight a bit easier for him.
According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Aldo will enter this fight already sporting some wounds:
Given the fact that Aldo already has a significant wound on his face, you can bet Edgar will be looking to bust it wide open.
With the speed and strength that Edgar possesses, Aldo will need to keep his hands up and utilize his blocks to keep himself in this fight.
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