Frankie Edgar Eyeing Winner Of Holloway vs Ortega; Staying Ready For UFC 226
Frankie Edgar has long been waiting for his third opportunity to challenge for the UFC featherweight belt, but his next shot could just be around the corner.
Edgar last challenged for UFC gold back in 2016 when he challenged Jose Aldo for an interim UFC featherweight title at UFC 200 and lost via a unanimous decision. Earlier this year, he was expected to face champion Max Holloway for the strap at UFC 222, but after the Hawaiin pulled out injured, Edgar went on to face and be defeated by Brian Ortega.
With Holloway and Ortega now set to meet at UFC 226 on July 6, Edgar spoke with the MMA Roasted Podcast this week and gave his prediction for the fight.
“I’m going to go with Max, he’s the champ,” Edgar said. “I think his range and he’s not going to be the shorter guy against Ortega.
“Ortega, he’s just used to being the long guy and Holloway, I’m sure he’s going to push a good pace and do well with him, but Ortega always finds a way to win.
“He was losing to Clay Guida, he was losing against Renato [Moicano], but he finds a way to win somehow and you can’t count him out.”
Edgar was then asked if he’d been asked to stay on standby by the UFC should either Holloway or Ortega pull out of the fight. The Jersey Shore native confirmed that he hadn’t, but did say he’d be staying ready just in case the worst should happen to either the champion or challenger.
“I’m always training,” Edgar said. “We will see what happens and if the time is right and I feel good then we’ll see. I’d have a hard time saying no.”
“I’m always in striking distance [of making weight] for the most part, but we’ll see. It’s got to make sense.”
Should the fight go ahead as planned, Edgar wants only one thing to happen when either Holloway or Ortega emerges victorious. Having bounced back from his defeat to Ortega with a win over Cub Swanson just three weeks after, Edgar believes he should be the next one to challenge for the title.
“I want to fight the winner of Holloway vs Ortega,” Edgar said.
“You know, Dana mentioned it, so I’m definitely in the game. We will have to wait and see what happens I guess.”
