Home

UFC

Is Frankie Edgar Moving Down to Bantamweight a Mistake?

Published 07/28/2020, 4:35 PM EDT

Follow Us

There isn’t a fighter in the UFC who has punched above his weight more than Frankie Edgar. After logging in more than seven hours of Octagon time against opponents bigger than him, Edgar is finally moving down to bantamweight. While it is clear that Edgar still wants his second UFC belt, moving down in weight probably isn’t a surefire way of getting the same.

A former lightweight champ, Edgar spent a significant time of his career fighting at 155-pounds. However, he dropped to featherweight after he failed to regain his belt that he lost to Benson Henderson. Even at 145-pounds, Edgar maintained his position in the top 5 of the division most of the time. He had multiple failed bids at his second UFC belt, the most recent one being against Max Holloway at UFC 240.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

However, what Edgar’s record won’t reflect is how, more often than not, he had to battle a size disadvantage. The 5’6″ Edgar would often spend most of his time covering the distance against opponents like Brian Ortega and Max Holloway who towered over him. In hindsight, this makes Edgar’s reign as a lightweight champ that much more significant.

In all likelihood, Edgar wouldn’t have received another title shot at lightweight. Had he stayed longer in the division, he would have been reduced to the status of a gatekeeper. A new division would be a new start for Edgar. A win or two and you never know if the UFC decides to hand one of its least hated stars a title shot.

How does a 38-year old Frankie Edgar compare to the best at 135-pounds?

Edgar is dropping down at 135-pounds when the division is making a run at being the most stacked one in the UFC. With the retirement of Henry Cejudo, the division was left wide upon before Petr Yan became the champ. However, the list of fighters who are aiming for a shot at Yan is pretty long.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Edgar will face Pedro Munhoz in the headliner of the August 22 event. Munhoz is a legitimate contender who has knocked out former champ Cody Garbrandt. His last outing ended up in a loss against Aljamain Sterling. Given Sterling’s position as the most likely challenger, a win over Edgar will bring back Munhoz’s name to relevance.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest UFC stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

As a lightweight and featherweight, Edgar’s biggest strength may have been his footwork and speed. Nearing his 40s, Edgar will fight opponents who will nullify his speed advantage. Moreover, he was never one of the hardest hitters in the division. While his wrestling remains a threat, it remains to be seen how he matches up against the best at bantamweight.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Most fans of the sport suffer from a recency bias. If Edgar strings together a successful run, which may even be as short as a couple of fights, a title shot wouldn’t be too far-fetched of a dream. Take, for instance, the former champ Jose Aldo, who fought for the title even after losing his bantamweight debut.

Hence, reaching the title shot will be significantly easier for Edgar compared to others. However, to win that elusive second belt, ‘The Answer’ will have to pull off an upset of the same manner that he once did against B.J. Penn at lightweight.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Rishabh Singh

655Articles

One take at a time

Rishabh Singh is an MMA author at EssentiallySports since 2020. An engineer in the making, his love for combat sports began by watching Anderson Silva light people up inside the Octagon. When he isn't busy in his technical pursuits, he is an avid reader with a love for sports in general and sporting history in particular.
Show More>