The UFC has completely wasted the prime of a p4p all-time great

[Selukrid612]

At 31-years-old Frankie Edgar gave prime Jose Aldo a great fight, his toughest fight to date at the time(in the WEC/UFC). He even did enough to convince a small minority of people on here that he'd won the fight. Based on the competitive nature of the fight and Edgar being known as an excellent performer in rematches, a rematch in the near future seemed inevitable. Yet Edgar is now nearly 35-years-old and he still can't get a commitment from the UFC for another shot at the belt. And in the years since the Aldo fight we've seen Edgar fight a total of 5 times. He spent an entire year on the shelf coaching TUF opposite BJ Penn, just so we could watch BJ embarrass himself in a meaningless third fight with Frankie. And recently the Conor McGregor circus has had 3 weight classes in limbo. Now with McGregor losing one would think it's surely Frankie Edgar's time, but he might just be too dangerous of a match-up for the UFC's faltering golden boy. Oh well, what's another 6 months of Frankie Edgar's best years?

 

[MacDuffle]

At 31-years-old Frankie Edgar gave prime Jose Aldo a great fight, his toughest fight to date at the time(in the WEC/UFC). He even did enough to convince a small minority of people on here that he'd won the fight. Based on the competitive nature of the fight and Edgar being known as an excellent performer in rematches, a rematch in the near future seemed inevitable. Yet Edgar is now nearly 35-years-old and he still can't get a commitment from the UFC for another shot at the belt. And in the years since the Aldo fight we've seen Edgar fight a total of 5 times. He spent an entire year on the shelf coaching TUF opposite BJ Penn, just so we could watch BJ embarrass himself in a meaningless third fight with Frankie. And recently the Conor McGregor circus has had 3 weight classes in limbo. Now with McGregor losing one would think it's surely Frankie Edgar's time, but he might just be too dangerous of a match-up for the UFC's faltering golden boy. Oh well, what's another 6 months of Frankie Edgar's best years?

I'm so sorry you had to see all that, Matt Serra

 

[lionheartprince]

I like Frankie, but when you lose 3 title matches in a row you should work you way back up the hard way.

Which he has done, and I think he will get the conor match next.

It's only the Dana haters on here that have suggested otherwise.

 

[prikoke]

Frankie was just repaying his debt for winning the decision in Penn I. Had he not gotten that decision, there would be no rematch and who knows if he would have ever gotten UFC gold.

 

[Dragon Punch]

I seriously expected this to be another Conor thread. Cheers for providing some originality TS.

 

[Enders]

He was gifted his two title shots, it's not unfair that he has to work a little harder to get another.

 

[BigNuggetIce]

Usually if Frankie isn't getting his ass kicked I find him boring. He's done a good job changing that in the Swanson & Mendes fights but still. That fact along with his whining make me have little sympathy.

 

[Medical Marijuana Man]

Frankie should've took more fights and not waited around.

Cerrone, Benson and Magny are prime examples of active fighters who don't waste time.

Cerrone had to win 8 fights in a row before he got a shot lol

 

[Selukrid612]

He was gifted his two title shots, it's not unfair that he has to work a little harder to get another.

I don't personally consider a guy that was viewed by many as the uncrowned LW champ getting an immediate title shot at FW a gift. It was basically a super fight, earned through his cumulative body of work and reputation. It was easily the fight people most wanted to see and there weren't any great contenders screwed over in the process. He was the logical choice and he put up a great fight, there's no reason this many years later that he should still be waiting for another shot.

 

[an4rew]

the UFC like to play favourites.

 

[Enders]

I don't personally consider a guy that was viewed by many as the uncrowned LW champ getting an immediate title shot at FW a gift. It was basically a super fight, earned through his cumulative body of work and reputation. It was easily the fight people most wanted to see and there weren't any great contenders screwed over in the process. He was the logical choice and he put up a great fight, there's no reason this many years later that he should still be waiting for another shot.

He lost two straight fights before his title shot. No idea where you get the uncrowned champ idea. Those fights weren't that close.

After losing three straight fights, it's not crazy to have him win 5 or 6 straight to climb back up.

 

[El General]

He lost two straight fights before his title shot. No idea where you get the uncrowned champ idea. Those fights weren't that close.

After losing three straight fights, it's not crazy to have him win 5 or 6 straight to climb back up.

Both fights vs Henderson were real close, a lot of people though he got legit robbed the second time. I'm not sure what fights you're referring to.

 

[TheComebackKid]

Dude, he lost 3 title fights in a row. He should have been made to climb the ladder from the bottom.

 

[kammfreudenstei]

Dude, he lost 3 title fights in a row. He should have been made to climb the ladder from the bottom.

I don't think so, but it is interesting who they send to the back if the line and who they keep close

 

[TheComebackKid]

I don't think so, but it is interesting who they send to the back if the line and who they keep close

Edgar may have been sent go the back of the line but it was after an immediate rematch for the LW title and a FW title shot while no wins at FW.

They kept Edgar close but after 3 straight title fight losses what can they do.

 

[Selukrid612]

Dude, he lost 3 title fights in a row. He should have been made to climb the ladder from the bottom.

I understand your point, but he was widely viewed as the unofficial LW champ at the time. Those fights with Bendo will go down in history as losses, but once he moved to FW they aren't something to be held against him. For a FW to be able to say he basically fought Bendo to a draw(but ultimately came up short) is a good thing, not something that should banish him from title talks for the remainder of his prime.

 

[The real JG]

Read Frankie Edgar in the first few words of the post and then scrolled down expecting to see gif of him throwing a hat.

 

[muaythaibeast]

I like Frankie, but when you lose 3 title matches in a row you should work you way back up the hard way.

Which he has done, and I think he will get the conor match next.

It's only the Dana haters on here that have suggested otherwise.

He only got the 3rd because everyone bar 2 of the judges knew he won the 2nd

 

[warriorfan808]

Lets get that rematch between Aldo and Conor at UFC 200 and then have Frankie fight the winner.

 

[TheComebackKid]

I understand your point, but he was widely viewed as the unofficial LW champ at the time. Those fights with Bendo will go down in history as losses, but once he moved to FW they aren't something to be held against him. For a FW to be able to say he basically fought Bendo to a draw(but ultimately came up short) is a good thing, not something that should banish him from title talks for the remainder of his prime.

You have to pay attention to the timeline. After losing to Aldo Frankie beat Charles Oliveira, BJ Penn out of retirement, and Cub Swanson. At this point its 2014...do those wins scream title shot to you? Especially when you had Mendes and Lamas in the picture at the time.

It wasn't until May of last year that Edgar beat Urijah and then not until December when he beat Mendes. By this time the McGregor/Aldo fight buildup was in full swing. Should they have called off the McGregor title fight and given it to Edgar? Not a chance.

I don't think the UFC has wasted Frankie's prime at all. When he lost the belt they gave him an immediate rematch. When he lost the rematch they gave him an immediate shot at the FW title while having no FW wins. Then when RDA pulled out of the McGregor fight they called Edgar and offered him a title shot. Edgar has been given and offered more title shots than anyone but Couture probably.