Frankie Edgar was forced to pull out of his UFC 218 title fight against Max Holloway and unfortunately the situation is out of his hands. He suffered multiple facial fractures including a broken orbital bone while sparring last week during his training camp.
Unfortunately for Edgar, he wasn’t cleared to fight by the doctors and will be sidelined for six to seven weeks with no contact sparring. Speaking from Bahrain during the Brave 9 event, Edgar said on his injury “Just in sparring, nothing crazy, I guess I got hit with a shot, I don’t even really know which one it was and felt numbness and everything. I got it checked out and they said I got a few fractures in my face.”
“I’m ok, not in pain or anything like that, just emotionally broken a little. I was really looking forward to that fight.”
With Edgar out of the fight, Holloway takes on Aldo in a rematch and Edgar feels that Holloway will get the win once again [Holloway stopped Aldo in their first fight at UFC212 via a TKO stoppage].
Frankie Edgar Instagram
“I do think Holloway gets it done but you can’t count Aldo out,” Edgar said. “He’s been the best in this division forever so we’ll see what happens.”
“Holloway gets better as the fight goes on. Aldo really came out hard and I think this fight he might not come out as hard. He’ll try to have a bit of gas tank left but I think Holloway’s length is his biggest attribute in that fight.”
With Edgar hoping to return by the end of February or beginning of March, his goal remains the same. He wants the winner of the Holloway-Aldo fight.
UFC
“The title is still on my mind, that’s still my goal and I won’t lose sight on it but we had a little hiccup.”
If Aldo wins, the UFC may be a little hesitant to book a trilogy fight between Aldo and Edgar. The two fought last year at UFC 200 where Aldo defeated Edgar via unanimous decision to become the interim featherweight champion.
When asked if Holloway winning would increase his chances of regaining that title fight, Edgar said he’ll be gunning for the title shot regardless.
“When they fought last time, it was kind of the same situation,” Edgar said. “I’m not going to hope for anyone to win. The best guy is going to win and I’ll make my plans after that.”
“If Holloway wins, I’ll be lobbying for that fight. I think that’s the fight to make. We haven’t fought yet, its fresh blood and even if Aldo wins I’ll try to throw my name in the ring.”
