Tag: Frankie Edgar

Frankie Edgar shares who could be greatest UFC lightweight ever

Former UFC champ Frankie Edgar says Islam Makhachev is on track to be the greatest lightweight ever.

[autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag] thinks the fighter who currently holds UFC lightweight gold is on track to be the greatest the division has ever seen.

A former titleholder himself, Edgar (24-11-1 MMA, 18-11-1 UFC) won the lightweight title in 2010 and defended it twice. Despite holding his era in high regard, Edgar recently told MMA Junkie Radio his pick for 155-pound GOAT is [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC).

By comparison, Makhachev has successfully defended the title four times, with wins over Alexander Volkanovski (twice), Dustin Poirier, and Renato Moicano. He doesn’t currently have a fight on the books.

“Islam, if he continues on the path he does, you’ve got to give it to him,” Edgar said. “He’s finishing guys. He’s not just defending the title. He’s finishing guys. He probably takes the cake.”

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While Edgar is a proud champion, he sounded at peace with his decision to retire in 2022. The grind hasn’t stopped, though. Edgar said being a family man and wrestling coach has kept him plenty busy.

“(I’m) coaching my kids in wrestling,” Edgar said. “It’s definitely the nerves of it all and the worries of it all – and the joy you get from it, too. I think it’s the closest thing to (fighting).”

Rutgers wrestling to honor two program legends before Maryland meet

Rutgers wrestling set to welcome two program legends on Friday night.

When Rutgers wrestling welcomes Maryland to Jersey Mike’s Arena on Friday night, there will be plenty to celebrate. The Scarlet Knights are holding a special ceremony for former assistant head coach Frankie Edgar & wrestler Sebastian Rivera. The talented duo provided fans with countless unforgettable moments over the years.

During his time at Rutgers, Rivera was a winning machine. In his senior season, the Toms River, New Jersey native finished with a 30-1 record. He also led the NCAA in tech falls with 14, earning a bronze medal. While his stint in Piscataway was brief, Rivera made the most of his opportunities.

Like Rivera, Edgar left an unforgettable impression on the Rutgers coaching staff during his tenure. He earned high praise from head coach Scott Goodale, who highlighted his work ethic when asked by Rutgers athletics prior to UFC 78.

 

“Frank is exactly what I want in a coach,” Goodale told Rutgers athletics. “His intensity and work ethic are by far what separates him from anybody I have ever seen. Our kids love training with him.”

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While Rivera and Edgar will take center stage, Rutgers has a favorable matchup ahead. The Terrapins are off to a 4-6 start. They have also struggled in conference play with a 2-5 mark.

Video: Frankie Edgar’s UFC Hall of Fame bona fides, and who should join him this year

One of the most durable and popular champions in UFC history got taken by surprise a couple weeks ago in Toronto.

One of the most durable and popular champions in UFC history got taken by surprise a couple weeks ago in Toronto.

Ex-lightweight champ [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag] thought he was just in Canada for a Q&A, but found out during the fights he’ll go into the UFC Hall of Fame as part of its 2024 class.

Edgar beat B.J. Penn at UFC 112 to win the 155-pound title. He beat him again in a rematch, had a pair of epic title fights with Gray Maynard, fought for belts at featherweight and bantamweight and is the only fighter in UFC history with more than eight hours of octagon time.

Simply put, “The Answer” is a legend. He retired in late 2022 and ended his career like many other eventual Hall of Famers – on a slump. But his career highlights were plentiful.

This week’s “Spinning Back Clique” of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Nolan King talk about Edgar’s upcoming induction and whom they think should go in alongside him with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia.

You can watch their discussion in the video above, and check out this week’s full episode below on YouTube.

Self-proclaimed ‘everyday man’ Frankie Edgar surprised by UFC Hall of Fame announcement

Frankie Edgar had the heart of a champion during his UFC career, which is why he’s entering the Hall of Fame’s modern wing.

TORONTO – [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag] had the heart of a champion.

A former lightweight champ, Edgar this past weekend was announced to be part of the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2023, as he will be inducted into the modern wing this summer. Edgar (24-11-1 MMA, 18-11-1 UFC), who was in attendance for the announcement during UFC 297 in Toronto, said the announcement caught him by surprise.

“I had no idea, honestly,” Edgar said backstage during UFC 297. “I definitely didn’t anticipate this at all. No one kind of tipped me off or anything. This was a big surprise.”

Edgar competed in three different weight classes throughout his career, starting as an undersized lightweight. But that didn’t deter Edgar, who was able to dethrone B.J. Penn to become the UFC’s 155-pound champion in April 2010.

From his three wins over Penn to his wars with Gray Maynard, and his big wins over Chad Mendes and Yair Rodriguez, Edgar defied the odds numerous times, and he takes pride in that.

“I’m like the everyday man,” Edgar said. “I’m not a big guy, I’m not the strongest guy, fastest guy, but I found a way to win through heart and determination. I always left it in there. That’s probably the thing that I want people to walk away with. I never went into a fight thinking I was going to lose because I prepared the correct way and always put my 100 percent into every fight.”

If Edgar has any advice for aspiring champions, it’s self-belief.

“Believe in your preparation, believe in yourself,” Edgar said. “Confidence is a stain that can’t be wiped off. If you’re a confident dude, you can do anything in this world.”

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Frankie Edgar announced for 2024 UFC Hall of Fame class

Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar will be enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 class.

Former UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag] will be enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 class.

Edgar (24-11-1 MMA, 18-11-1 UFC), who was famous for his ridiculous durability, endurance, heart and chin while spending the majority of his career fighting above his natural weight class, will get his recognition as a UFC Hall of Fame member during June’s International Fight Week festivities in Las Vegas.

The news was announced during the pay-per-view broadcast of Saturday’s UFC 297 event in Toronto, where Edgar was in attendance.

“Frankie Edgar is one of the greatest athletes in UFC history,” UFC CEO Dana White said in a press release. “Frankie had an amazing career and consistently fought the best athletes in the world across multiple weight classes for more than 15 years. He is a legend, and it will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame as part of International Fight Week this summer.”

“The Answer” was emotional as he was shown on-screen after a surprise video package, wiping tears away from his face as the crowd got on its feet and cheered him.

Edgar, who won the 155-pound belt from B.J. Penn at UFC 112 in April 2010, is the only fighter in UFC history with more than eight hours of octagon time. He has a plethora of other achievements on his resume, as well.

The 42-year-old retired from MMA competition in November 2022 following a knockout loss to Chris Gutierrez at UFC 281. He ended his career in a difficult drought of 1-5 in his final six fights, but his highlights include notable wins over Penn, Yair Rodriguez, Urijah Faber, Charles Oliveira, Cub Swanson, Gray Maynard among others.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 297.

Photos: Frankie Edgar through the years

Check out these photos highlighting former UFC champion Frankie Edgar’s career through the years.

Check out these photos highlighting former UFC champion and upcoming UFC Hall of Fame inductee [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag]’s career through the years.

UFC 297 video: Hear from each winner, guest fighters backstage

Check out what the UFC 297 winners and guest fighters had to say backstage at Saturday’s event in Toronto.

TORONTO – UFC 297 took place Saturday with 12 bouts on the lineup. We’ve got you covered with backstage winner interviews from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

You can hear from all the UFC 297 winners by checking out their post-fight news conferences below.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 297.

MMA Junkie’s 30 greatest UFC fighters of all time: Full list and videos

To commemorate the UFC’s 30th anniversary, this is our definitive list of the promotion’s 30 greatest fighters of all time.

To commemorate the UFC’s 30th anniversary, MMA Junkie has compiled its definitive list of the 30 greatest UFC fighters of all time. We revealed one every day until the anniversary of UFC 1, which took place Nov. 12, 1993.

Our complete rankings, along with videos for each fighter, can be viewed below.

About the list: All 12 members of our staff submitted their own individual 30 greatest UFC fighters list. Each fighter was assigned a corresponding numerical value based on where they were ranked on an individual’s list, i.e. No. 1 = 30, No. 2 = 29, etc. We took those numbers and added them up to get a total number for each fighter to determine the composite ranking of MMA Junkie’s 30 greatest UFC fighters of all time.

30 greatest UFC fighters of all time: Frankie Edgar ranked No. 26

Frankie Edgar: Lightweight champ, featherweight title challenger, bantamweight … easy call for our 30 greatest UFC fighters of all time.

The UFC is celebrating its 30th year and to commemorate the milestone, MMA Junkie has compiled its 30 greatest UFC fighters of all time. Every day until the anniversary of UFC 1 on Nov. 12 (1993), we will reveal one fighter on our list.

Today, MMA Junkie reporter Farah Hannoun brings you No. 26: [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag].

You can watch Hannoun’s career retrospective on Edgar above; video produced by Ken Hathaway.

Also see:

About the list: All 12 members of our staff submitted their own individual 30 greatest UFC fighters list. Each fighter was assigned a corresponding numerical value based on where they were ranked on an individual’s list, i.e. No. 1 = 30, No. 2 = 29, etc. We took those numbers and added them up to get a total number for each fighter to determine the composite ranking of MMA Junkie’s 30 greatest UFC fighters of all time.

Every UFC title fight to end in a draw

It’s rare, but every now and then a UFC championship fight ends in a draw. Here’s a look back at the times it’s happened.

It’s rare, but every now and then a UFC championship fight ends in a draw.

Whether it’s because a title fight is closely contested or a point deduction or a judge’s inexplicable scorecard, we’ve come away from certain title fights with an unfulfilling result.

Below is a list of the draws that have been scored in UFC history.