Issue 096

December 2012

We look at the career of the former UFC lightweight champion

NEED TO KNOW

NAME: Frank James Edgar

AGE: 30

DIVISION: Lightweight

STYLE: Boxer/Wrestler

BASED: Toms River, New Jersey

RECORD 14-3-1

3 (T)KOS (21.4%)

3 SUBS (5.3%)

8 DECISIONS (57.1%)

From his humble beginnings in Toms River, New Jersey, to becoming widely the world’s top lightweight, Frankie Edgar has achieved an incredible amount since he began his MMA career in 2005 fighting in no-holds-barred events, before he went on to become a UFC champion.

Edgar began his career in his home state of New Jersey in Ring of Combat, earning a 4-0 record within 12 months 

After defeating Jim Miller on the regional circuit, Edgar was given a chance in the UFC against fellow wrestler Tyson Griffin at UFC 67. In a fantastic ‘Fight of the Night’ performance, Edgar gutted out a win against the veteran. He would go on to defeat Mark Bocek and Spencer Fisher, before losing for the first time in his career, against Gray Maynard. 

Edgar then fought Sean Sherk, and showed off a completely new striking skill-set, outworking the former champion in all areas before earning himself a unanimous decision victory.

In a shocking upset, Edgar then defeated BJ Penn via unanimous decision at UFC 112 to become the UFC lightweight champion. Many people believed that he’d lost the fight, though, and a rematch was set up between the two. Edgar would go on to convincingly defeat the Hawaiian at UFC 117, confirming his status as the best lightweight in the world.

Edgar would then rematch Gray Maynard at UFC 125. After five rounds of back-and-forth, intense action, the fight ended in a draw, meaning the two would face each other again and complete a trilogy. The two lightweights fought at UFC 136, and this time Edgar made sure that it wouldn’t go to the judges’ decision, knocking out Maynard in the fourth round. 

After facing the same two fighters for the last two years, it was time for Edgar to defend his title against a new opponent: former WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson. The two would fight in an incredibly close bout, however the judges felt Henderson did enough to win the title. Edgar asked for a rematch, as he’d given two of his own when he held the title. Although the rematch was granted, Edgar would lose another controversial decision to Henderson. After much debate, Edgar finally went down to 145lbs, which many consider his natural weight-class to face featherweight champion, José Aldo.

Speed

Not only is Edgar tough as nails, he has the speed to duck and dodge his opponents’ strikes pretty easily. Meaning every punch that his opponent lands has to be perfect otherwise they’ll be gassed out from punching thin air in no time.

Heart

When it comes to taking punishment and coming back from the brink of defeat, Frankie Edgar might just be one of the best to ever step foot in the Octagon. His heart has allowed him to continue fights when most men would’ve given up.

Always Improving

Whenever you see Frankie Edgar fight, he’s always adding something new to his game. Whether it’s head kicks, a new takedown or a step in his unorthodox footwork, the Frankie Edgar you saw in his last fight is not the Frankie Edgar you’ll see in his next fight.

CAREER SNAPSHOT

2006

Wins the Reality Fighting lightweight championship against Jim Miller after a three-round war.

2009

Defeats former UFC lightweight champion, Sean Sherk and undefeated prospect Matt Veach to earn a shot at the UFC lightweight title.

2010

Defeats BJ Penn twice in one year, winning and defending the UFC lightweight championship.

2011

Has the second and third fight of his epic trilogy with Gray Maynard. The second fight is a draw, but he wins via knockout in the third bout.

2012

Loses his title to Benson Henderson and fails to regain it in the rematch. He and his coaches decide it’s best for him to move down to 145lbs.