Fighters tend to move up in weight when they win titles and or get older, but Frankie Edgar may have other plans.
According to UFC commentators Jon Anik and Kenny Florian, the former lightweight champion could be heading to 135 pounds sooner than later.
“I talked to [Edgar boxing trainer] Mark Henry in Saskatoon,” Anik said Monday. “Frankie Edgar doesn’t want to be a two-division champion, he wants to be a three-division champion. I think internally he feels, and even though I don’t agree with this, that maybe it would be a cop out if he went right down to 135 and challenged [bantamweight champion] T.J. Dillashaw as he waits for a bantamweight contender to get healthy.
“I think he wants to win this belt at 145 and then maybe go to 135 before calling it a career. I just think given the backdrop of Conor McGregor and [featherweight champion] Jose Aldo and the likelihood that those two guys are going to fight twice in a row here, I just think it’s going to be a long wait for Frankie Edgar. Now to have to get through Chad Mendes on Dec. 11, I think it’s a huge ask.”
With Aldo and McGregor set to unify the featherweight title Dec. 12 at UFC 194 in Las Vegas, Edgar and Mendes would assumably be fighting for a No. 1 contender spot.
If Edgar falls to Mendes, Florian believes it opens the door for “The Answer” to challenge bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw. Edgar stepped right into a title shot against Aldo at UFC 156 in 2013, his debut for the weight class.
“He was the champion at 155 pounds and he feels like if he goes all the way down to 135 pounds people are going to say, ‘Oh, he’s just trying to take the easy route.’ said Florian. “That’s just not the case. Frankie can maybe be the champion at 145, but here’s the good scenario: If he does lose to Mendes, he has that 135 pound option. He can go down to 135.
“He can make 135, easy. I had that same conversation with Mark Henry and he said, ‘He can make 135, Kenny. He walks around at 150 if he’s training a lot.’ He’s right in there. He can challenge Dillashaw. He can challenge Conor or Aldo. It’s unbelievable what he’s done.”
Edgar faces Mendes Dec. 11 in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Safety first. The Arkansas and California commissions are leading the way with historic new rules for weight-cutting.
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MEDIA STEW
UFC 191 Embedded episode 1.
Frank Mir hoped to fight Andrei Arlovski for a UFC title.
Highlights from Legacy 44, featuring new UFC signee Sage Northcutt.
Urijah Faber talks Chad Mendes’ condition going to fight with McGregor.
Paige VanZant’s LA lunch scrum ahead of UFC 191.
Free Fight: Gegard Mousasi vs Mark Munoz.
Long watches.
Joe Rogan Experience #690 – Ronda Rousey & Edmond Tarverdyan
…
Joe Rogan’s 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Restomod – Jay Leno’s Garage
TWEETS
Could be a problem.
Sooooooo. I gotta go back to ABQ cuz chelily33 is in labor and baby Delilah is being born! https://t.co/0qTF8TDDlZ
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) September 1, 2015
Beef.
Watching film on the way home… Man this dude is in for a rude awakening. #ElCucuyStatus Dec 11 TUF 22 pic.twitter.com/H2YDO29fTu
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) August 30, 2015
@TonyFergusonXT be careful
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Network while you’re at it.
Here’s @LukeRockhold instructing players from the @DetroitPistons. Awesome experience. pic.twitter.com/l1CjlWtqv3
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People helping people.
Hi @TheBigPygmy,only now have I been informed about The Forgotten,otherwise I’d speak sooner.There’s an open spot on my shorts and banner
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for them. Your story is incredible, I want to help give them a voice too. @TheBigPygmy
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Inconsiderate.
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Hahahaha sorry and thank you coach haha! https://t.co/cuosT9Mnj5
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 31, 2015
Congrats.
The Eagle has landed! @UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov officially signs with Reebok. @TeamKhabib & #TeamReebok unite! pic.twitter.com/npL28d0BDv
— Reebok (@Reebok) August 31, 2015
Ive found a home in Malaga & will be teaching there from September 14th! @costadelsolff thanks @pablocabobjj & @rogergracie #BigslowInMalaga
— Bigslow (@LukeBarnatt) August 31, 2015
Mondays.
ChiLlin at river with @Bjpenndotcom @chrisavila209 @layziethesavage #jdpenn @1pedroalex https://t.co/FzItvELu7p pic.twitter.com/ykiL3LoNlA
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) August 31, 2015
Dang.
a good day of work #Valentino RT @ufc: .@TheDomin8r stealing @Pharrell‘s look while filming @DraftKings video. pic.twitter.com/6GhzD1Yphr
— Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) September 1, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Aug. 31 2015)
Tecia Torres vs. Michelle Waterson at UFC 194
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