Is Conor McGregor the one pulling the strings in the UFC? Frankie Edgar certainly thinks so, as he expressed that sentiment during last week’s edition of The MMA Hour.
“From what I think, yeah, [McGregor]’s calling the shots,” Edgar told show host Ariel Helwani. The 34-year old former lightweight champion earned himself a 145-pound title shot with a victory over Chad Mendes at the TUF 22 finale in December, but saw his big opportunity taken away quickly, when newly-crowned division champion McGregor announced his plans to move up in weight and challenge Rafael dos Anjos for the 155-pound belt.
“I don’t think it matters with Dana [White] and Lorenzo [Fertitta]. Really, I don’t think I’m the best fight that they want…I don’t think they want it either. So I’ve got all three of them against me”, he continued his rant. “I think I’m the worst match-up for McGregor. I think he knows it, I think you know it, I think the UFC knows it. I just need that chance to get my hands on him. That’s what I want. Am I going to get it? I f*cking doubt it.”
Only days after the interview, the McGregor vs. Dos Anjos title fight at UFC 197 was reported. To make sure the titles are regularly being defended, champions have to vacate their belts before moving to another weight division. McGregor won’t have to vacate his title.
“I remember when [the UFC] were trying to get me to go down to 145 when I was the 155-pound champion,” Edgar said. “They said I have to let go of the belt to do that.”
McGregor won’t. So Edgar will have to wait until the Irishman returns to 145lbs — which could happen at UFC 200 in July — or stay active, fight someone else in the mean time, and risk his safe title shot in the process.
“Some people are telling me to wait, but I’m going to wait so they can take it away from me again? I don’t think I can do that,” he said. “Like you said, I’ve got a family to feed. This window’s closing. We all know this isn’t a long career. I’m 34. I feel great, I feel young. I feel like I’m getting better, but time wins over everybody eventually, so I feel like I’m just missing out on opportunities left and right.”
You can watch the whole segment with Frankie Edgar above.