In a predictable bit of noise following Frankie Edgar’s loss of his UFC lightweight championship to Ben Henderson at UFC 144, fans and even UFC president Dana White called for Edgar to drop down to featherweight. Edgar is, after all, a relatively small lightweight, not cutting much weight at all to make the 155 pound limit.
Edgar told MMA Fighting that he doesn’t plan on it, and he wants a shot to get his belt back:
“I think the rematch makes sense on several levels,” he said. “Not only can UFC be good guys, I think I earned it. Economically, they’ve been investing money in me. I’ve been at the helm of this weight class for two years now. I think it just makes sense for them and obviously for me. Let’s do it.”
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“I’m staying at 155,” he said. “This is where I’m at right now. I still feel like I got a run left. I still want that title back.”
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“That [rematch] is what I want,” he said. “I think it’s right. I think i earned it. I’m not trying to put down Ben or any other contender, but I think I earned my spot to deserve this rematch.”
Edgar now sports a career mark of 14-2-1 with his only unavenged loss being the Henderson bout. White suggested after the fight that he felt Edgar won, so it’s rather difficult to believe that Edgar doesn’t “deserve” a rematch. It’s just a matter of how soon he will be given one.