Former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar and UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway were supposed to meet twice already in the Octagon, but injuries would knock both fighters from those bouts.
Ali Abdelaziz is Edgar’s manager and he believes the UFC, plus Holloway, owes Edgar a shot at the featherweight strap.
“99.9 percent, Frankie gets that title shot. They owe him,” Abdelaziz told MMA Fighting. “The UFC owes him, Max owes him. Who’s a bigger name up there at 145 pounds right now who can fight outside of (Jose) Aldo, because Max fought Aldo already? Aldo is before Frankie because Aldo beat Frankie. But if you look, Chad Mendes, Frankie knocked him out, right? Moicano, Moicano lost to Ortega. Frankie lost to Ortega too, but Frankie has a higher ranking, Frankie is a former champ, and Frankie is a much bigger fight. You’d rather fight Frankie Edgar than Moicano, and Moicano has a fight. Who’s left? Frankie’s left.”
Holloway and Edgar have both fought since their last bout was canned, with Holloway winning at UFC 231 and Edgar victorious at UFC Fight Night Atlantic City.
Abdelaziz says that it may be Edgar’s wrestling skills that gives Hollway the biggest issue if they finally do meet.
“Max (Holloway) is a good champion, but Max hasn’t ever fought a wrestler like Frankie,” Abdelaziz said. “And Frankie, as tough as he is, when he fought (Brian) Ortega he got caught with an elbow, and fair and square, Ortega got the win — but I’m telling you, Frankie is the worst matchup for Max. I believe if Frankie takes Max down — and he will — Max will not get up, because he tried to play guard and [play on the ground against Ortega]. Frankie will probably try to put a hole through his head. That’s what Frankie will do to him. ... Frankie is the right guy for that fight. This is the fight Max should be asking for right now.”
Edgar is currently sitting at #3 in the UFC Featherweight Division Rankings, with the two fighters ahead of him (Jose Aldo & Brian Ortega) having already fought Holloway for the gold.
