The answer to Frankie Edgar‘s lightweight woes could be a move down to the featherweight division.
At 155 pounds, Edgar has demonstrated tremendous heart in capturing a UFC title and ousting world-class fighters twice his size.
The underdog story came to an end at UFC 144 at the hands of former WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.
“I don’t want to take anything away from Ben. He did a great job, but I do think I won that fight,” Edgar said at the post-fight press conference for UFC 144.
After a championship bout for the ages, all three judges scored the fight in Henderson’s favor. From the looks of the post-fight mugs alone, it would seem like the judges made the right decision.
Henderson left the arena just as smooth as he entered, but Edgar’s face was rather unrecognizable after eating a steady dose of heavy strikes throughout the closely-contested bout.
With the loss, the world is already clamoring for Edgar to consider dropping to 145 pounds to challenge UFC featherweight champion and pound-for-pound standout Jose Aldo.
The move doesn’t look like it’s coming anytime soon. At the post-fight presser, Edgar shot down all inquiries about a potential move to featherweight, but his decision won’t stop fans and pundits from playing devil’s advocate.
If he dropped weight, where would Edgar rank in the featherweight division?
The better question would probably be whether or not Edgar has the tools to oust Aldo. Outside of the featherweight champ, there isn’t a single fighter that boasts the same level wrestling and technical efficiency on the feet as Frankie Edgar.
There are fun bouts to be had at 145 pounds for the former lightweight champion, particularly against Chad Mendes, Hatsu Hioki and Diego Nunes, but in every one of those fights, Edgar would enter as a heavy favorite.
Fans want to see Edgar versus Aldo. There really is no other reason for Edgar to drop to the featherweight division. At lightweight, Edgar has earned two wins over MMA legend B.J. Penn, a decision victory over Sean Sherk and a fourth round knockout over Gray Maynard.
It wasn’t like he was blown away by Henderson. There is definitely rematch potential surrounding the UFC 144 main event.
For fans holding out hope for an Edgar-Aldo super fight, they could be waiting quite awhile longer.
Edgar is already campaigning for an immediate rematch against Henderson.
“I’m not trying to shoot anybody out of anything they deserve, but I had to do two immediate rematches [against Penn and Maynard], so, what’s right?” asked Edgar.
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