Frankie Edgar wished Max Holloway a speedy recovery after the UFC 222 featherweight title cancellation, and sounds like he may be ready to fight without the belt on the line.
Frankie Edgar isn’t thrilled that his latest shot at UFC gold is off the table for the foreseeable future. But he seems to be understanding, too.
He’s been in the same spot as Max Holloway, who on Saturday pulled out of his featherweight title defense against Edgar at UFC 222 due to a leg injury. This was the first time ‘Blessed’ had ever been forced out of a contest.
The pair of elite featherweights were initially set to square off at UFC 218 last December, but the ‘Answer’ pulled out of the fight due to a facial injury. Holloway instead re-matched Jose Aldo in his first title defense, defeating the legendary Brazilian by third-round TKO (again).
Edgar, in a brief statement released on Instagram Saturday, hinted that he is expected to remain on the UFC 222 card, which takes place March 3 in Las Vegas.
“Here we go again, definitely disappointed but fate wasn’t having it,” the former lightweight titleholder wrote. “I wish Max a speedy recovery but the show must go on. See you all in Vegas March 3rd!”
Edgar’s coach, Mark Henry, also wished Holloway well in a separate Instagram post.
“Max personifies the word champion in a day and age where every fighter is afraid to fight or defend and picks fights,” Henry wrote. “Max has never backed down and has taken on all comers like UFC used to be. Much respect to him and his team and awesome coaches, and hopefully two amazing warriors, ‘Blessed’ and [Edgar], will meet across the Octagon from each other soon.”
The UFC is hoping to book Edgar against short-notice replacement Brian Ortega, per MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani, but that fight has yet to be finalized. It would be a non-title fight that would likely determine Holloway’s next challenger when the champ is recovered.
It still isn’t clear what will serve as the event’s new headliner. T.J. Dillashaw vs. Cody Garbrandt 2 was being discussed, but the 135-pound champ turned the rematch down.