Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Will Frankie Edgar's next fight be for the UFC Featherweight Championship?
May 19, 2015 - 11:20:19 AM ROUNDTABLE: Will Frankie Edgar's next fight be for the UFC Featherweight Championship?

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Will Frankie Edgar's next fight be for the UFC Featherweight Championship? Who will he face if that's the case, and what other scenarios do you see keeping him out of a title fight?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

If Conor McGregor beats Jose Aldo on July 11, then Aldo's rightfully getting a rematch. And in that case, Edgar vs. Chad Mendes should happen. Other than that, Mendes has lost two FW title shots, Edgar has lost one. Edgar gets the next shot at the title, assuming Aldo retains at UFC 189. I think this is rather cut and dry, personally.


DAYNE FOX, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I'd say it all depends on what happens with Aldo and McGregor. If McGregor wins I see Aldo getting an immediate rematch in which case Edgar doesn't get a title fight. If Aldo wins though, you'd better believe Edgar has next. I'm inclined to believe that Aldo will win so I'll say that yes, he does fight for the title in his next bout. If McGregor does win, Edgar will face Chad Mendes to keep busy. That is as good as a title fight in my opinion.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Yes, I think his next fight is for the UFC Featherweight Championship. I think that UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo beats Conor McGregor in their fight and sets up a rematch with Edgar. The only scenario in which Edgar doesn't fight for the title in his next fight is if McGregor beats Aldo. Jose Aldo has held the belt for so long and made so many title defenses that he would get an immediate rematch if he loses. Other than that, Edgar fights for the title his next time out.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Well no one else is exactly screaming title contender right now so I would be perfectly OK with him being next in line. I expect we would see a rematch with Aldo, I am not a huge believer in Conor McGregor, especially when he has beaten no one at the elite level or near the level of Aldo. Edgar-Aldo 2 looks great to me.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think he should be next, and I believe he will fight Jose Aldo. The only scenario I can see stopping his shot is if Max Holloway gets Chad Mendes next and stops him.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

Frankie's next fight has to be for the title, he's done more than enough to get a shot at the winner of Aldo vs. McGregor. Smart money has to go on Aldo to get the job done, though stylistically this is a better match up for McGregor than say a Mendes or Edgar, who would most certainly have their way with him utilising their superior wrestling. I'm not counting McGregor out to pull off an upset, but it's going to be very difficult for him considering Aldo is five levels above any opponent he's fought previously.

The only way I don't see Edgar getting a title shot is if Aldo was to drop the belt to McGregor; if he does I envisage a rematch in Ireland in front of his home fans, making the UFC copious amounts of money. In this scenario Edgar might want/have to take another fight, and if this is the case the likes of Chad Mendes or Max Holloway as an opponent would make for great viewing!


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

It all depends on who wins the title fight at UFC 189. If Conor McGregor wins, then it's inevitable that Jose Aldo will get a rematch providing it isn't too one-sided. If Aldo wins, I don't see anyone else but Edgar as the logical next contender. Only Chad Mendes springs to mind and he's already had two attempts, with the latest in October of last year. Edgar last fought for the title in Feb 2013, and he's put together a steady four-fight win streak since then.

There is the possibility that Aldo wins and decides to vacate the title by moving up to lightweight. If that happens, Edgar will be involved in any fight to decide a new champion. Depending on the landscape at the time, that could come against McGregor or Mendes. Either way, I think Edgar has done more than enough to earn another opportunity at the Featherweight Title.

[Frankie Edgar art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]