Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Frankie Edgar talks about his decision to step in as a late replacement for Brian Ortega and face “The Korean Zombie” at UFC Busan in a few weeks.
Last week, Frankie Edgar decided to step in as a late replacement for Brian Ortega to face “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. In a little over a week’s time, he will be flying across the world to South Korea to headline the UFC’s first event in Busan.
“The Answer” was already booked to make his bantamweight debut against Cory Sandhagen in January. But when Ortega pulled out due to injury, he saw an opportunity he just couldn’t pass up.
“I feel like I was ready. My team liked the fight,” Edgar told MMA Fighting. “Lately, I’m just about experiences and this is a good experience to have in my life. I’ve done a lot in this career. I’ve never taken a fight on two weeks’ notice across the country, so why not add that to the repertoire.”
Edgar was already scheduled to fight Jung in 2018, but was forced to pull out due to an injury. Now that he once again has his chance, the former lightweight champion wants to make the most out of it.
“It played a part. I felt like we were very familiar with him,” he explained. “We were so close to fighting just a year ago so it wasn’t that far off.
“We were supposed to fight and I want to right that wrong.”
As for Sandhagen, who wasn’t pleased with the sudden change, Edgar had this message to relay.
“It sucks. That’s the breaks,” he said. “I’ve definitely been disappointed in this game quite a bit myself. I’m sure I’ll meet him down the road if not in January.”
UFC Busan takes place on December 21st.