Frankie Edgar Faces Reality, Will Drop to Featherweight for Next Fight

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Following his second heartbreaking decision loss to Ben Henderson, former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar has made the decision to drop to featherweight. The news was broken by Ariel Helwani yesterday on FUEL TV’s UFC Tonight. Since he reportedly walks around at less than 160 pounds, it’ll be a much more competitive division for Edgar, who has generally been out-sized in the Octagon, sometimes significantly. Of course, when Edgar began his UFC career in February 2007, featherweight wasn’t even an option.

Edgar is looking at December for his 145-pound debut, against an opponent to be named later. Though Frankie will likely have to win at least one fight before getting a crack at the title, featherweight champion Jose Aldo — who fights Erik Koch in October — is already laying the groundwork for a heated rivalry. As “Scarface” told Tatame:


(Props: fueltv)

Following his second heartbreaking decision loss to Ben Henderson, former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar has made the decision to drop to featherweight. The news was broken by Ariel Helwani yesterday on FUEL TV’s UFC Tonight. Since he reportedly walks around at less than 160 pounds, it’ll be a much more competitive division for Edgar, who has generally been out-sized in the Octagon, sometimes significantly. Of course, when Edgar began his UFC career in February 2007, featherweight wasn’t even an option.

Edgar is looking at December for his 145-pound debut, against an opponent to be named later. Though Frankie will likely have to win at least one fight before getting a crack at the title, featherweight champion Jose Aldo — who fights Erik Koch in October — is already laying the groundwork for a heated rivalry. As “Scarface” told Tatame:

“He said he wants to drop to the featherweight so I’m hoping he does that to end this story,” Aldo said. “He’s welcome here so that we shut him off and he goes to the lightweight or bantamweight classes.”

Not exactly a warm welcome to the division. Still, Edgar’s arrival into the featherweight division opens up some fantastic matchup possibilities. In the clip above, Kenny Florian mentions three great ones…

Chad Mendes: The former featherweight title contender recently rebounded from his January loss to Jose Aldo by body-shot KO’ing Cody McKenzie in just 31 seconds. Scrappy wrestler vs. scrappy wrestler?

Chan Sung Jung: The Korean Zombie’s last three fights have ended in highlight-reel stoppage victories, and Jung vs. Edgar sounds like a perfect #1 contender fight in the 145-pound division. Personally, I think Zombie’s already earned his title shot, but one more big win would clinch it.

Dustin Poirier: Unfortunately, “The Diamond” was the most recent victim of the Korean Zombie, but if the UFC wants to give Edgar a softer introduction into the featherweight class — rather than throw him in against one of their top two contenders — Poirier makes a lot of sense, and his aggressive fighting style would make for a great pairing with Edgar.

So who gets your vote? And do any of you not support Edgar’s decision to drop to 145?