Frankie Edgar Warns Winner of Jose Aldo vs Max Holloway II: ‘I’m Coming For That Belt’
Frankie Edgar hasn’t had the best of weeks, but he’s already looking ahead to the future and getting ready for 2018.
Last Friday, the news broke that Edgar had suffered a facial injury during training and had to pullout of his scheduled title with Max Holloway at UFC 218. Today, Edgar attended the BRAVE 9 weigh-ins and spoke exclusively to MMANytt.com about his injury.
“Yeah it was just a regular sparring session you know, it was nothing crazy and it was kinda a freak accident,” Edgar said. “It was just really unfortunate. I’m pretty bummed about it, but there’s nothing I can do about it.
“It was just one of my guys you know. I don’t even know. I was training with the guys and then at the end I noticed my cheek was numb.
“I got it checked out and it was a broken orbital.”
Broken orbitals can sometimes require surgery, but thankfully, Edgar confirmed that he would only require time to let his injury heal.
“Luckily, no, I’m not going to have surgery,” Edgar said. “It just six weeks no contact and then I’m going to be ready to go again. I want to get back in there as soon as I’m able. I just got to see what happens with Aldo and Holloway and then see what fight makes sense after that.”
Fighters can often get frustrated by their opponents pulling out at late notice, but the champion Holloway took the news on the chin and even reached out to Edgar on social media to wish him a speedy recovery. This didn’t go unnoticed by Edgar who added that if anyone was going to be annoyed by the situation, it was going to be him.
“I think he understands that it was something out of my hands,” Edgar said. “I think he understands that and I’m not one to ever back out of anything.
“I’ve been wanting this shot for a very long time so if anyone is upset about it, it’s going to be myself.”
With Holloway know booked to fight Jose Aldo for a second time, Edgar is hoping the champion is able to beat him for the second time. Regardless, Edgar is expecting to face the winner.
“I knew it was going to be one of those guys,” Edgar said. “I don’t know how they come to their decisions, but no, I wasn’t really surprised that they picked Aldo.”
“For sure, it makes more sense that I fight Holloway. Those guys will figure it though. When they fought last time I said they would figure it out and that the true champ would come out. I know I’ll fight the winner.
“I think Holloway is going to get it done, but Aldo is always dangerous, so you never know.”
With Holloway vs Aldo II now set for UFC 218, Edgar wanted to send a clear message to the man who gets his hand raised.
“Yeah for sure I got a message for the winner,” Edgar said.
“I’m coming for that belt man.”
“I’ve not changed my goals. I want to become a two weight champion and I know I’m close to it. I’m just going to get back fit and get it done.”