Frankie Edgar crashes UFC 194 press conference to hear title fate

Frankie Edgar

LAS VEGAS – Frankie Edgar emerged from this week’s trio of UFC events much as he did entering it: confident, yet uncertain about the future.

The former lightweight champ boosted his stock immeasurably with a first-round knockout of three-time title challenger Chad Mendes (17-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) on Friday at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale. Edgar (20-4-1 MMA, 14-4-1 UFC) received a verbal promise from UFC President Dana White that he would get the next featherweight title shot after “putting the stamp on it” with his fists.

Then came Saturday’s UFC 194, which saw Conor McGregor (19-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) unify the featherweight title with a blistering 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo (25-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC).

While the dual results appeared to make the UFC’s matchmaking job easy, Edgar, as before, wasn’t so certain. So he showed up to the post-UFC 194 press conference to see what was up.

“Definitely,” Edgar told MMAjunkie when asked whether he was worried about what would be said. “Like I said, I was told yesterday that I was next in line. We will see.”

The immediate rumors coming from McGregor’s fight didn’t make Edgar feel any more certain. The champ’s coach, John Kavanagh, said he was headed up to lightweight because the cut to 145 pounds was unhealthy. UFC President Dana White also promised him an immediate title shot at 155 pounds.

In other words, another potential period of limbo for “The Answer.”

“Maybe he’s got one more fight at 145 before he goes to 155,” Edgar said. “If I could get whatever I want, I’d love to fight McGregor in Madison Square Garden on April 23 (for UFC 198).”

A title fight at Croke Park in McGregor’s native Dublin – which the champ admitted he’d have a hard time refusing – would also do just fine. But Edgar isn’t calling the shots when it comes to his career. He’s somewhat at the mercy of the new champ and the UFC, though he previously said he would continue to take fights rather than wait for a title shot.

“I’m his kryptonite,” Edgar said. “You see with Chad did with him on 15 days’ notice, and Chad’s not one to stay in the gym at all. I come to the gym a lot. You give me a good camp and ample time to prepare for him, I’m the guy to beat McGregor.”

In the end, though, Edgar likely left the presser less confident than ever that he would get the chance. McGregor didn’t rule out a fight with him, but mentioned the possibility of a featherweight title eliminator while he headed up to lightweight. Or, an immediate rematch with Aldo.

There are options, he said, and he’ll decide after Christmas. In the meantime, Edgar should probably prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

“I’d be floored,” he said when asked what would happen if he didn’t get the title shot. “That’s what I’m hoping doesn’t happen. Fingers crossed.”

For complete coverage of UFC 194, check out the UFC Events section of the site.