UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and top contender Gray Maynard seemed set to complete their trilogy of contests at UFC 130 over Memorial Day weekend, but injuries to both fighters proved that neither were close to pristine condition.
Maynard was forced out of the bout due to injuries to his knee, while it appeared that Edgar was dealing with issues involving an injury to his ribs. But the top 155 lb. fighter in the promotion, and perhaps the world, told UFC.com today that his back was the main problem going through his most recent training camp.
“All of the reports are talking about my ribs, it’s actually my back,” Edgar told UFC.com’s Mike Straka. “My back’s been bothering me for quite some time. A few weeks ago I had to take a week off so my back could calm down and I was trying to fight through. I got through it, but it kept blowing out on me here and there but then I ended up blowing out a rib last week.
“I saw a UFC doctor yesterday and he said my L2 and L5 discs are bulged, and he recommended that I don’t fight right now. I can’t even put socks on or hold my kids, it’s pretty bad right now.”
While Edgar was clearly disappointed in the cancellation of the fight, with all of the injuries sustained by each fighter, it would be impossible to expect either to be remotely close to their best in the main event of UFC 130. The champion understands the disappointment in the news, but also believes that the fans, along with his opponent, want to see a fight between the best version of himself and Maynard.
“I know when I fight Gray I want him to be at his best, he wants me to be at my best, and I’m sure the fans want us both at our best too.”
Following the cancellation of the UFC 130 main event between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard, the champion explains just why he was forced out of the bout.
