Frankie Edgar Believes He Is Next In Line To Challenge Holloway At 145 Pounds

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion Frankie Edgar is confident he will be next to get the opportunity to attempt to dethrone featherweight kingpin Max Holloway later this year.

Holloway made an unsuccessful attempt at becoming a two-division champion last weekend at UFC 236 when he moved up in weight to fight for the interim lightweight belt. While Holloway survived the five-round title fight, he was rocked several times by the noticeably more powerful Dustin Poirier and was fortunate not to be finished a number of times during the fight.

UFC President Dana White, who previously said Holloway’s future was at lightweight, changed his tune slightly after last weekend’s event and now wants the Hawaiian to return to the division he has dominated for several years.

For Edgar, it’s been almost a year to this day since he last competed inside the Octagon outclassing Cub Swanson to a unanimous decision victory at UFC Fight Night 128 last April. With Holloway returning to the division, Edgar told ESPN that he believes he is in prime position to get that next title opportunity.

“I think everybody knows it should go to me,” Edgar said. “Even the guys who want the shot, you [hear] them say, ‘Well, I know Frankie should get it, but…’ You know? Alexander Volkanovski is fighting Jose Aldo in a few weeks and that may have an impact, but I think everybody knows it’s me. I’ve worked my entire career for it to be me.”

Edgar pointed out that his past good deeds for the UFC may mean that his request to fight Holloway may be granted by the promotion, similar to the manner in which Kamaru Usman was rewarded with a title shot against Tyron Woodley earlier in the year after filling in as a backup last year when Woodley fought the UK’s Darren Till.

“The fact I put it on the line the last time Max and I were supposed to meet up, that holds some weight,” Edgar said. “I know the UFC likes to reward people who are willing to just let it fly. I’ve done that my whole career. I’m ready for that reward.”