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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
This article originally published on December 23
UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar is defending his title for the second time on January 1, when he takes on the only man to ever defeat him: Gray Maynard. But despite defeating B.J. Penn twice in 2010, Edgar hasn't gained the respect or fanfare one might expect.
However, Edgar believes he just needs to do what he's been doing, and his record will speak for itself.
"I just think it takes time," Edgar said during a pre-event conference call this week. "B.J.'s been around for such a long time, he was such a dominant champion at lightweight, it just takes time for people to come around on someone new."
"If i keep winning fights the respect will come eventually."
Since their first meeting in 2007, Edgar has rattled off five straight wins, defeating former title challenger Hermes Franca as well as former Champion Sean Sherk before the wins over Penn. With each successive victory, Edgar has developed his skills to an elite level, and he continues to get better.
"I feel I know how to train better," Edgar explained. "Each camp gets better and better, my training partners get better, it's better all around."
"I just think I grew as a fighter [since the first fight]. Mentally, physically, I possess different skills. My boxing got better, my jiu jitsu got better, I'm just a better all around fighter."
As for how he has been approaching this fight specifically, Edgar said things aren't any different than his recent fights, but the opportunity to avenge his only career loss is an added bonus.
"I just approached [this fight] as my next fight and my next title defense," Edgar said. "The fact that he beat me and I get a chance to avenge that makes it even better."
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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