For better or worse, Frankie Edgar says featherweight is still his division

Frankie Edgar

Frankie Edgar’s decision to drop to the UFC featherweight division has paid off with rousing success, but he’s quick to warn fellow fighters that a weight-class change isn’t always a guarantee for a career turnaround.

In fact, Edgar is dealing with his own issues: plenty of time on the sidelines as he awaits a title shot.

Edgar’s ultimate goal is winning the UFC featherweight title, which will be up for grabs at UFC 194 on Dec. 12 when divisional kingpin Jose Aldo (25-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and interim titleholder Conor McGregor (18-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) collide for the undisputed belt. Edgar (19-4-1 MMA, 13-4-1 UFC) is determined to get a crack at the winner of that fight, but he refuses to rest while that comes to fruition.

“I’m looking to fight before the year is out,” Edgar told MMAjunkie of his next potential bout. “I’m looking to do my thing and stay active.”

Edgar is ranked No. 3 in the NOS Energy Drink MMA featherweight rankings. The former lightweight champion moved down to 145 pounds in February 2013 and was granted an immediate title shot against Aldo. Edgar suffered a competitive unanimous-decision loss to “Scarface” at UFC 156 and has been eager for a rematch.

Although Edgar hasn’t got that opportunity yet, he said the decision to move down a weight class less than three years ago was the correct one for his career.

“I was the champion, and I lost a pretty controversial fight against Benson Henderson; I could have still been the champion if I won that fight,” Edgar said. “That’s when I made the decision. I was still successful at 155. I just thought for me, losing two in a row, I thought it was a good time to go down.”

Jose Aldo

Edgar is the most deserving contender to face the Aldo-McGregor winner. Unfortunately, the unpredictable nature of the sport makes it difficult to determine exactly when his title shot could take place.

“The Answer” has won four straight fights over high-level competition in Urijah Faber, Cub Swanson, B.J. Penn and Charles Oliveira. Despite the successful run, he wasn’t offered the chance to fill in for injured Aldo against McGregor at UFC 189 in July. Chad Mendes instead was offered the late-replacement opportunity and suffered a second-round TKO to “The Notorious.”

Edgar potentially dropping another weight class – all the way down to the 135-pound bantamweight division – has been discussed. While a matchup with bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw would be compelling, Edgar said featherweight is his optimum weight class.

“If a guy can make it and they can weigh in and show up and perform, then it’s not too much; if it becomes where they can’t make it, then it becomes too much,” Edgar said of cutting weight. “You never know how your body is going to react until after the weigh-in and fight. Some guys can bounce back pretty good. Some guys can’t.

“It almost just the person. It’s case-by-case. Each individual will want to stay where he is or go down because of certain reasons they think will benefit them. Some guys think if you’re the bigger, stronger guy, you’re going to win. Some guys would rather just be a bit healthier.”

If Edgar is unwilling to switch weight classes or wait for Aldo vs. McGregor to play out, he’ll likely be paired against another top contender at featherweight. No. 5 Mendes is the fighter ranked closest, but Edgar said he’s open to all potential matchups.

“Whoever my manager and the UFC come up with, I’m down,” Edgar said.

For more on the UFC’s schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.