Frankie Edgar wants a crack a UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, or even fellow contender Conor McGregor. He just doesn’t sound convinced he’ll get to face either any time soon.
Fresh off a dominant, fifth-round submission victory over Cub Swanson in Austin on Nov. 22, Edgar believes he’s earned another shot at Aldo.
“I just beat the guy that was promised a title shot, the No. 2 guy in the world,” Edgar told MMA Weekly. “The No. 1 [Chad Mendes] just fought Aldo and didn’t get the job done so I think if I beat the guy that was promised the title shot, I should get it.”
Aldo made the seventh consecutive defense of his title to Mendes at UFC 179 in October and isn’t expected to fight again well into 2015.
Edgar dropped a unanimous decision to Aldo in an unsuccessful title bid at UFC 156 in February 2013, but says enough has changed to warrant another go.
“I fought him a couple years ago and felt like I did a pretty good job so just build on that,” said Edgar. “I’ve gotten better, I’m sure he has, too. He had a bad performance against Mendes, who is really good, but I think I’ve improved and I’d love another crack at it.”
McGregor has campaigned hard for the next featherweight title shot, going 4-0 in the division since signing with the promotion in 2013.
On Jan. 18 McGregor will headline the UFC’s return to Boston in a Fight Night event opposite Dennis Siver. The Irishman is predicting another first-round stoppage, characterizing the bout as little more than a way to stay active and earn an easy payday.
“I feel like he’s done a good job putting himself in there with his talk and everything else,” Edgar said of McGregor. “I don’t know if he’s deserving to get that title shot right away but he’s doing the right things as far as it goes with the media.”
Edgar says he’d even be willing to fight McGregor for the shot in a title eliminator bout, but that he doesn’t see the UFC greenlighting it.
“I’d be game for that, but I don’t think the UFC would want that,” said Edgar. “No. I think they give him the title before they give him to me. Title shot at least.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘You aint welcome.’ Nate Diaz isn’t too happy to see the UFC sign ‘fake wrestler’ CM Punk. ‘F**k that situation. You’re gonna bring an amateur in and pay him more than us?’
Ubereem. Alistair Overeem talks about his UFC on FOX 13 fight against Stefan Struve, what kind of pressure he’s feeling going into this fight, the state of his career, his thoughts on fighting a fellow Dutchman, why Brock Lesnar isn’t coming back, and more.
‘I feel like I have some shoes to fill.’ Rose Namajunas says becoming a crossover star like Ronda Rousey is ‘definitely going to happen eventually.’
Your Majesty. Marc Raimondi asks Angela Magana about what she’s been doing on Twitter. ‘I’m actually just being myself.’
Heavyweights. Mike Dolce thinks Cain Velasques should slim down. ‘He may have good results with his competition performance, but truly, that’s not an optimal body weight.’
MEDIA STEW
TUF 20 Finale weigh-ins.
Junior dos Santos believes he could still get another title shot against Cain Velasquez.
Nate Diaz with even more realness on CM Punk.
Cool story from Alistair Overeem.
Local news bro is much more excited for the fight than Conor McGregor.
Free Fight: Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader.
Long watches.
You’re Welcome – Chael Sonnen – Ep 09 – “Suga” Rashad Evans
…
The MMA Report – Mitch Gagnon, Mike Bohn, John Pollock
…
Press Row with Jordan Breen and Patrick Wyman
TWEETS
Excite.
ESPARZA vs NAMAJUNAS!!! Live and free this FRIDAY on @FOXSports1 #TUFFinale pic.twitter.com/mnXiEBIuZf
— Dana White (@danawhite) December 12, 2014
Good deal.
@Unclecreepymma that include mustache tips?
— Coach (@CMPunk) December 11, 2014
Cool.
.@SSTheScrapper Yes, we will. In 2015, we will announce another weight class.
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) December 11, 2014
Awesome news.
Joey had another MRI last week and we got the all clear today. We expected an all clear but it’s nice… http://t.co/mvzxiIuIgi
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) December 11, 2014
Congrats.
May 2015… #myfightyourfight pic.twitter.com/i9wKMLSbz1
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) December 12, 2014
FYI.
The @EASPORTSUFC Legends update is live! Lesnar, Rampage, Coleman and Hughes are all available for play.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 10, 2014
EA Sports UFC goes free for EA Access on Dec. 18 http://t.co/9Dj91ra4xX
— Polygon (@Polygon) December 11, 2014
You win #TBT.
americojohn sent me this jewel the other day. gunnar_casey wedding in Montana. The bachelor party got… http://t.co/QzcGp8RrCh
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) December 11, 2014
Back when I almost killed noad_lahat ! @jezza0985 we need to make a sequel soon with corey_wilson http://t.co/b09Cu8o0Gt
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) December 11, 2014
This Week in Struggle.
Worst best friend ever…. #FighterandtheKid http://t.co/yS2zSsaHU3 pic.twitter.com/0v9W0hSm07
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) December 12, 2014
.@GeorgesStPierre‘s front view and side view when looking at @ginacarano… Or so I was told! pic.twitter.com/aZfSTvSUUy
— Siyar (@Bahadurzada) December 11, 2014
I heard 50 cent used to box, does HGH, and was once friends with a boxer. He should headline the next ufc PPV. It would bring new fans in.
— Mac Danzig (@macdanzigmma) December 11, 2014
My whole career I look forward to getting my fights called by @joerogan and @MFG16 – I get there and they call me salmon the whole time. Lol
— Josh Samman (@JoshSamman) December 8, 2014
20 degree weather in a tee for Photoshoot today with @badboy had to scare camera man at the end. http://t.co/dBQKbv2oRS
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) December 8, 2014
Me and @thugjitsumaster was out all day putting in job applications at Trader Joes, Subway, Home Depot, and Walgreens. #retired #ufc #mma
— Din Thomas (@DinThomas) December 11, 2014
If you are wondering, yes, it is possible to fall down an escalator #livingthedream #cantstopwontstop
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) December 8, 2014
Its unfortunate how badly CM Punk is going to get hurt considering he has no idea whatsoever
— kajan johnson (@IamRagin) December 12, 2014
So it turns out I’m on a dating site and I’ve changed my name “so I won’t be recognised”. #HollaAtMe pic.twitter.com/uyrY91OvlM
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) December 7, 2014
Going to the mancub’s school Xmas concert like this. In case u thought ur mom was embarrassing. pic.twitter.com/Ys0LnYKUWB
— Peggy Morgan (@peggymorganmma) December 9, 2014
Is there anything more insulting than being called “buddy” by someone you don’t know?
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) December 8, 2014
My mom hates flying & She said she meet the pilot & told him to fly carefully “My daughter fights in the @ufc Friday & I have to make it”
— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) December 11, 2014
People who pay for social media followers, are like athletes who use steroids #Cheaters
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) December 12, 2014
Father and Son pic.twitter.com/tapZRYdBo9
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) December 12, 2014
So @RowdyBec is sitting next to me shitting while I’m still rugged up sweating away #ItsAPainfulOne #MyFace pic.twitter.com/OuCCrUblDY
— Angela Magana UFC (@AngelaMagana1) December 11, 2014
Didn’t even last a whole night broke that bitch lol what you thought was going to happen lol http://t.co/5oBGxbjt5q
— Melvin Guillard (@Young__Assassin) December 9, 2014
UFC put us up in an old creepy hotel, these long hallways remind me of the hotel from The Shining. If… http://t.co/NfqksFeis7
— Ricardo Lamas (@RicardoLamasMMA) December 9, 2014
I just got pulled over for not having my headlights on while my windshield wipers were on. When did they pass that law?
— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) December 11, 2014
This is y I have so many kids #wcmtwtfss pic.twitter.com/QZ6uJCuvZ4
— kendallgrovemma (@kendallgrovemma) December 11, 2014
Someone recently stole my identity, and it has ruined their life.
— Sean McCorkle (@BigSexyMcCorkle) December 10, 2014
The lady behind me in line is reading my phone as I tweet #supercreep
— Mitch Clarke (@MitchClarkeMMA) December 10, 2014
You gotta love seeing your Grandkids spending happy times with Santa Claus!!! LMAO!!! pic.twitter.com/cCafHkEAK3
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) December 12, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 11 2014)
Kiichi Kunimoto vs. Neil Magny at UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Saffiedine
Alan Jouban vs. Richard Walsh at UFC 184
Daniel Kelly vs. Patrick Walsh at UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Saffiedine
Dan Miller out, Antonio dos Santos Jr. vs. Daniel Sarafian at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway
Rony Jason out, Renato Carneiro vs. Tom Niinimaki meets Renato Carneiro at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.