Scrap Anderson Silva versus Georges St-Pierre and while you are at it forget Silva versus Jon Jones or any other dream combination you can think up.
Here is the super fight I’ve been waiting for: Jose Aldo versus Frankie Edgar at 145 pounds.
For me it feels like these two have been dancing around one another for years.
Ever since the UFC introduced the featherweight division back in 2010 it feels like these two have been destined to one day square off in the Octagon and even though the fight is now here, it still all feels like a bit of a dream.
The undersized, underdog, former lightweight champion, who dethroned BJ Penn and put on such breath-taking displays of heart throughout his reign, against one of the fastest, most skilled and most lethal champions to ever enter the Octagon.
Who said the magic’s gone? This weekend at UFC 156, it’s Christmas morning for me.
Honestly I don’t even know where to start with this fight, there is so much that could happen in the cage and so many potential outcomes for either of the fighters.
Let’s begin with the challenger, Frankie Edgar, who stands on the verge of making history this weekend.
In many fans’ eyes, Edgar should still hold the lightweight championship belt after two nailbiting bouts with Benson Henderson finished his reign as the king of the 155 pound division.
But far from taking a step back to reassess his career, the Energizer Bunny-Rocky love child dove straight into a fight for the flyweight belt, which if he wins will make him only the third fighter to become a champ in two divisions.
To add even more spice, the Brooklyn native could finally be fighting at his ideal weight class.
At lightweight Edgar did not cut weight and despite giving up at least 10 pounds to his smallest opponents and even more against bigger ones such as Henderson, yet he matched them blow for blow and most of the time came out on top, even managing to knock a few of them out.
Against men his own size, there is no knowing what the former lightweight champion may be able to do.
His classic in and out boxing style will remain just as potent but his wrestling game, which has always been strong, could take on a scary new dimension.
Edgar is the most complete fighter to ever square off in the Octagon with Aldo.
Don’t expect Jose Aldo to be phased though, he has been scaring his opposition into submission for years at 145.
It is a sad fact that by the time Aldo appeared in the UFC, he was already an undisputed champion.
His tear through the featherweight ranks is the stuff of legends and is only matched by Jon Jones’ rise to prominence at light-heavyweight.
In his wake Aldo has left a string of stunned, bloodied and thoroughly outclassed opponents. For well over four years he has been completely untouchable.
At this point it is hard not to break into song, but if you have ever seen beauty in muay-thai, then Aldo’s compositions of leg kicks, knees in the clinch and lightning fast punches must seem like Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.
And the kid is only 26.
If Edgar can’t beat him in this fight, then it is hard to imagine anyone in the featherweight division ever taking his crown.
Even if Aldo loses this weekend, he has previously mentioned he would one day like to move up to lightweight, where he wouldn’t have to cut so much weight.
Losing the featherweight champions strap may set him free to tear a new hole through the lightweight division. Aldo has never relied on size in his fights so a move up could well put the whole 155 division on notice.
To put it bluntly, these two are among my absolute favourite fighters and I don’t even care who wins.
I could watch Edgar ducking in and out while Aldo chases him down without either side completely winning out for far longer than five rounds.
Sure there are some other great fights this weekend: Jon Fitch and Demian Maia will put on a grappling clinic, veteran light-heavyweights Rashard Evans and Antonio Nogeria will square off and Allistar Ovreem will return to the ring.
But none of them posses the sprinkle of magic dust this super fight does.
Carnivean
Guest
You do have a different definition. Not as many people buy the smaller weight classes as top level fighters, because they are too small. Perception makes superstars, not technical skills nor win/loss ratios. One of the reasons that I couldn't stand Edgar as 155 champion is because there appears no danger of him ever finishing a top level fighter. He won by out working his opponent, not by dominating them at anything. Too many of the sub-170 fighters look to be threats, and that is why only the hardcore fans care about them. Casual, even regular fans don't get into them anywhere near as much. I'll watch any Overeem fight over any Edgar fight, despite the huge skill discrepancy. Lidelll is another example of a very technically limited fighter that the crowds love. They posses danger and threat in a way that no light-, fly- or feather-weight ever could. Danger and the anticipation of it, is why most of us chose to watch MMA, and what makes us chose favourites.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
A nice card with some big names although Evans, Noriega, Silva and co are on the way down imo. Edgar v Aldo should be great to watch. Would love Edgar to finally get the rewards.
Ronnie Liddle
Roar Rookie
good article. agreed this fight has the potential to be awesome. edgar is quick and eats punches and aldo is quick and can throw. Aldo to win in the second.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
I think one of the problems with fans seeing this a as a super fight is that Jose Aldo's achievements and skills are totally un-appreciated because he was previously in the WEC before the UFC took on the featherweight division. For me he is right up there with GSP, Anderson Silva and Jon Jones as the dominant champions of this generation but few casual fans would put him up there with those three.
Matt
Guest
Looking forward to this fight & whole card , but give me a Silva-GSP or Silva-Jones fight any day, they would be true Super fights that would attract non-MMA fans.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
I think you and I have different definitions of a super-fight. I see these guys as two of the top ten fighters in the world meeting at the prime of their respective careers. Many would argue Edgar still deserves to be lightweight champion and here he is fighting for the featherweight champion. That is a super fight in my books every day of the week. While I agree the lower and middle tier featherweight guys might not have the name value yet, I think you will find Aldo and Edgar are the exception to that. They have both been fighting at the championship level since 2010 and have had a number of high profile fights.
bigrig
Guest
unfortunately mate i think your having a laugh... superfight?? The flyweights and featherweights havent been accepted by the public yet, they ufc is trying to pump it up massively but the fact is they struggle to sell tickets (unless its aldo in brazil) and sell pay per views... the saving grace for this card is the return of overeem, he will be the next heavyweight champ and everyone wants to watch that...
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Tomoro's card is one of the best of the year. Im hanging out to see Fitch v Maia. The top 4 fights are all crackers. I am surprised the UFC is happy to hav a huge drug cheat like Overeem tho. Overeem should lay off the juice for 2 yrs then be re-admitted.