Penn-Edgar Next for Lightweight Division

Frankie Edgar will be the next in line for B.J. Penn, UFC President Dana White told MMAFighting.com on Tuesday.

Edgar and Gray Maynard had been earmarked as frontrunners for the division’s next championship bout after Penn dismantled Diego Sanchez over five rounds at UFC 107 on Dec. 12 in Memphis, Tenn. Maynard fought Nate Diaz to a split decision at UFC Fight Night 20 on Monday in Fairfax, Va., but his performance wasn’t hailed as a contender-advancing effort, clearing the way for Edgar.

A date and venue for Penn’s fourth title defense hasn’t been announced, though the 31-year-old Hawaiian said he’d likely be fighting at a proposed event on April 10 in Abu Dhabi for the promotion’s first show in the Middle East.

Penn, Sherdog.com’s No. 1 ranked lightweight, has delivered top caliber performances in his last five victories. Penn has lost only once in the last two and a half years, when he moved up a weight division to challenge UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre for his crown. With St. Pierre inflicting consistent damage on Penn, the Hilo native’s corner stopped the bout between the fourth and fifth rounds.

The swift and agile Edgar has gotten “Fight of the Night” nods in two of his last three bouts. The 27-year-old Toms River, N.J. native cut his teeth on the East Coast’s local circuit in popular promotions Ring of Combat and Reality Fighting before he debuted against the previously undefeated Tyson Griffin at UFC 67 in February 2007. Not expected to keep up with the intense Griffin, Edgar impressed with his frenetic pace en route a unanimous decision victory. Edgar’s last victory came to unranked Matt Veach at “The Ultimate Fighter 10” Finale on Dec. 5 in Las Vegas.

Edgar’s only career defeat came to Maynard at UFC Fight Night 13 in April 2008.