The Answer has his sights set on one fighter and one fighter only for his next trip to the Octagon.
Frankie Edgar solidified his position as the number-one featherweight contender with his first round knockout of Chad Mendes at the Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale the night before Conor McGregor became the division’s king.
Even though it is customary for the number one contender to get a crack at the belt, Edgar knew he would have to wait before taking on the Notorious inside the Octagon.
"@FrankieEdgar by knockout!" The Answer KOs @chadmendes… 👊 #TUFFinale https://t.co/aNZFJ2qHAC
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) December 12, 2015
The Answer told Fox Sports 1 he had a feeling the UFC were going to give Conor McGregor a shot at Rafael dos Anjos’ lightweight title before making him defend his 145 lb crown. He maintains that McGregor moving up for his next bout was the smart move as well as the easier option.
“I kind of had an idea it was going to happen before it was announced. I think Conor played the smart move, he played the business move. You can’t blame him for that, it just sucks that it’s at my expense and now I’m in limbo since I was supposed to get that next title shot.”
“If he stuck around and lost to me, he has no option to go up to 155. I think now he goes up, win or lose, he’s still got the belt and he can come back down to 145. He played the safe play which is smart by him.”
Even though the next featherweight title fight hasn’t been booked yet, Edgar’s expecting to get the nod next for a duel with McGregor at the huge UFC 200 event.
“It was pretty much wait and see what happens March 5 before they make any decision. I know I’m in line for it. I assume (Jose) Aldo is being considered, but I went out there and made my case. I think that is the biggest fight, I think that’s the fight most people are interested in seeing and I’m hoping the UFC does the right thing and books me and Conor for UFC 200.”
Edgar previously held the UFC lightweight belt, but was dethroned by Benson Henderson at UFC 144. He lost the subsequent rematch by a contentious split decision before dropping down and losing a closely contested featherweight title showdown with Jose Aldo, and eventually working his way back into the title picture.
However, should McGregor defeat Dos Anjos at UFC 197, Edgar wants to take more than just the featherweight strap off him.
“I’d love to. We can do it back-to-back and that will be UFC 204 or whatever, that would be the next biggest fight. I’m game. If they let me get my hands on him once, I’ll definitely re-do it.”
“I’m hoping I get to fight on the biggest card in UFC history and make history by winning two titles. I will be there March 5 and maybe I’ll have to parachute my ass into that Octagon, they can’t get me out of there.”
