Issue 172

November 2018

Since his UFC debut, Frankie Edgar has made a habit of upsetting the odds. That’s still the plan.

You have carved out an entire career as the underdog. Young guys ask to fight you. That can be taken one of two ways, as a huge sign of respect or maybe something else. How do you take it?

I think they are just hungry young fighters who want to work their way up the ranks. What better way to do that than fight somebody like myself?

I was in their shoes before. I get it. I don’t think they underestimate me. If they do, they are definitely making a mistake.

You are in your mid-thirties now. I’m sure you are tired of hearing that angle at this point but as an older dude how are you going to hang with these young bucks?

It’s kind of new. I am new to the old guy club! I am watching LeBron James, I think he is new to the old guy club too and he is killing it in the playoffs. I will try to follow in his steps a bit.

With your established position in the sport no matter what weight class you are in or where you are fighting, you will always be on the verge of a title shot. With every big win do you feel like the number one contender all over again?

I am a realist and I know that me and Aldo running it back so quickly might make it tough. I’m coming off a win. Aldo just got it done, so I am still going to try to get that rematch.

Do you think the third time will be the charm against Aldo?

I thought the first fight between us was very close. Many fans thought I won the fight. I thought I won it. I could see how it went either way. This last fight I laid an egg. I didn’t show up like I normally do.

I didn’t have my greatest performance. I would like a rematch. I don’t know how possible that is right away. Again, if it doesn’t happen ever, it is what it is, man.

You rebounded from the loss to Aldo with a win against Jeremy Stephens at Madison Square Garden in NYC. Being a Jersey kid that had to be a special night for you?

That is a night that will stay with me forever. Being a Jersey kid, going to the Garden for sporting events and training next door at Renzo Gracie’s forever, to finally be able to fight there, was huge. I had a lot of friends and family in the crowd and when I heard the crowd at MSG rocking and screaming my name that was awesome.

You have done it all in Mixed Martial Arts, so how do you envision the rest of your career playing out?

I just want to make money, keep active and keep winning fights. I still enjoy getting into the Octagon. I don’t dread going to the gym. I will fight and I will be back in the gym next week. That’s just the type of person I am. I still feel young, so as long as I am competitive and having fun I will do it as long as I can.