As the UFC prepares for its return to the land of the rising sun, the promotion’s current lightweight champion finds himself as the unlikely overseas ambassador while headlining UFC 144 at the end of the month.
A native of Toms River, N.J., Frankie Edgar‘s journey from homegrown wrestler to the defending UFC champion remains one of the sports most inspiring stories with surprisingly deep roots in foreign soils.
In his first taste of fighting internationally, Edgar shocked the world by not only capturing the lightweight title, but doing so in convincing fashion against one of the all-time greats in BJ Penn, all while fighting in the UFC’s first event in Abu Dhabi at UFC 112. Now set to go to Japan for his fourth title defense, Edgar looks to continue his success overseas.
“Obviously I’m super excited to be fighting over in Japan, you know, birthplace of martial arts,” Edgar told Bleacher Report at the UFC 144 media conference call earlier this week. “It’s similar to going to Abu Dhabi, a little bit more of a time difference. I’m trying to approach it somewhat the same, it’s not my first go around so I feel like I have a little bit of experience in that end.”
This international exposure has not only provided Edgar with experience pertinent to his fight with former WEC Lightweight champion Benson Henderson, but fighting overseas also helps the UFC’s growing global appeal.
“I almost feel like an ambassador to the sport”, Edgar said. The champion is well aware of how important this role is in getting the Japanese fans invested in the UFC.
“It’s engrained in their culture,” Edgar said. “They’re huge fans and I think they are going to appreciate the show we put on.”
While the experience of fighting overseas may overwhelm other fighters, Edgar remains focused on the task ahead: defeating Henderson. While he’s not worried about where the fight will end up, if his past battles are any indication, Edgar knows the importance of coming out strong in the opening round.
“I’m really not concerned too much where the fight goes ‘cause it could go anywhere, so I got to be ready for that,” Edgar said. “I want to come out strong from the first round. I want to get through the first round and I do feel that I build, but if I can go out there and win the first round and build from there, obviously it will be the best scenario.”
And if fighting in another country wasn’t enough, Edgar finds himself on another new frontier, being the favorite going into this bout for the first time.
“I didn’t even know I was the favorite. I really don’t pay attention to those things,” Edgar said. “I’ve been the underdog most of the time and I’m finally favored to win. The more I win, the more respect I’m going to get so that’s always the plan.”
In such a stacked division, Edgar realizes the importance of not becoming complacent, especially against a fighter with Henderson’s skills and résumé. One of the most well rounded and best conditioned lightweights in the division, Henderson is also a new face for Edgar to face, a welcomed sight after facing only Penn and nemesis Gray Maynard since 2010.
“It’s definitely refreshing to train for someone new,” Edgar said. “It’s the excitement of having a new opponent, a fresh easel to paint on. It’s also definitely a concern because you’ve never faced them before, so you’ve got more to prepare for so it’s a little bit new.”
All quotes were obtained first hand by Bleacher Report unless otherwise stated.
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