Frankie Edgar won’t get to relax and enjoy his new UFC lightweight championship for long.
According to a report from United Kingdom outlet Fighter’s Only, Edgar will defend his new belt against former champion B.J. Penn at UFC 118. Rumors surrounding the bout have been circulating for the past week.
The fight is expected to headline the August 28 card in Boston.
UFC 118 will mark the first foray into Boston for the UFC, a landmark card made possible by the recent sanctioning of the sport in Massachusetts. UFC President Dana White has stated his desire to run a card at legendary Fenway Park, but UFC 118 is expected to take place at the T.D. Garden, the home of the Boston Celtics.
Edgar defeated Penn by earlier this month at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi. The decision victory was unanimous, but Penn’s stature as one of the best lightweights in the history of the sport likely earned him a rare immediate rematch. The UFC typically requires former champions to win several fights before earning another title shot.
Boston native and fellow lightweight Kenny Florian is expected to face Gray Maynard in a title contender’s bout on the same card.
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Report: Edgar vs. Penn 2 Set For UFC 118