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Frankie Edgar may have paved the way for Conor McGregor
James Bakker
Roar Rookie
27th November, 2014
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James Bakker
Roar Rookie
27th November, 2014
2

Following his decisive submission victory over highly ranked contender Cub Swanson, Frankie Edgar is making his case for another shot at Jose Aldo’s featherweight championship,

“It should be me, based on my performance, based on what I’ve done in my career; it should be me,” Edgar told MMA Junkie.

Edgar (18-4-1 MMA, 12-4-1 UFC) put on one of the most stellar performances of his prolific carer last Saturday night at UFC Fight Night 57. Swanson had no answer for the former lightweight champion’s relentless wrestling based onslaught.

Swanson, who was riding a six-fight winning streak heading into the bout, was forced to endure a barrage of devastating elbows and punches, as Edgar consistently maintained top position.

Despite clearly being ahead on the scorecards, ‘The Answer’ was determined to make a statement, and was following his corner’s advice by constantly pushing for the finish. His persistence was rewarded in the dying seconds of the fight, as he latched onto Swanson’s neck and viciously cranked him into submission.

Since the victory, Edgar has continued his call out of champion Jose Aldo (25-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC). Through Twitter, he went a step further, stating a time and place for their possible rematch. He wants to meet the Brazilian at the upcoming UFC on Fox 15 event on April 18 in his home state of New Jersey.

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There is no doubting the significance of Edgar’s performance in the featherweight title picture. Swanson was widely regarded as being next in line for a title shot, and Edgar thoroughly dismantled those ambitions. However, there remains one significant barrier to his rematch with Jose Aldo, and that comes in the form of the fast-rising and faster-talking Irishman Conor McGregor (16-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC).

The UFC is as much an entertainment business as it is a professional sporting body, and title fights that sell are routinely placed above those that make sporting sense.

There is no denying that McGregor is one of the most marketable fighters on the UFC roster. Whether it be in his native Ireland or America he has a strong fan-base among the Irish faithful.

He has quickly become one of the UFC’s most viable international assets, at a time when the company is rapidly expanding its global business structure.

The 26-year-old Dublin native is not shy about his desire for an immediate title shot; often broadcasting his intentions to sell out Irish football stadiums in a main event with Aldo.

Should McGregor emerge victorious over Dennis Siver (22-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC) in their upcoming main event of UFC Fight Night 59, it will be extremely difficult for the UFC brass to restrain themselves from the lucrative prospect of an Aldo vs McGregor pay per view.

Edgar understands this predicament and is determined to get another UFC title around his waist, even if he is overlooked for the next shot.

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“I don’t know if I’d be angry,” he said. “I’d be disappointed, but I wouldn’t be a baby about it. What can I do? Just put my head down, go back in the gym and earn another shot. That’s all I can do.”

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