Frankie Edgar, the ultimate UFC underdog, went from a lamb to B.J. Penn’s slaughter, to fluke Lightweight Champion, to undisputed title holder. Though that road saw him face off against a bevy of tough opponents, the lightweight kingpin has seen but the tip of the division’s iceberg.
Edgar will face Ben Henderson this Saturday, in Japan, and, though the immediacy and difficulty of the challenge ahead warrants Edgar’s full attention, “Smooth” is but one of many lightweights that will be vying for Edgar’s crown before the end of the calendar year.
The following is a list of the top 10 threats Edgar may have to deal with before 2013.