“I’m always going to try to fight my fight,” suggested Edgar, who, along with wife Renee and son Francesco, welcomed son Santino into the world in May. “I’m sure B.J. is going to make some adjustments, but there are some things in the films that I can improve or stuff that he does that maybe I can capitalize on. But I’m always going to fight the same. I’m always going to be pushing forward.”
Joining Edgar on the card bearing his name is the only man to have beaten him in his career, Gray Maynard. Before Edgar and Penn step into the cage for the second time, Maynard will face two-time title challenger and Massachusetts native Kenny Florian in a bout many believe will determine who will be the next man to contend for the lightweight title.
While Maynard has a formidable task before him and Edgar is certainly not looking past his second encounter with Penn, if the pair both emerge victorious, Edgar would welcome the opportunity to settle the score.
“He did beat me, straight up. We fought, he won, and so of course I’d love a chance to redo something I didn’t do and I thought I could do better,” Edgar offered honestly. “It’s not like I’m dwelling on it – I try not to have any negativity in my camp or in my life – but it’s a possible fight, so of course I’d love an opportunity to avenge a loss.”
Not one to worry about whom he might face next or get caught up in the pre-fight trash talk that has dominated recent events, Edgar has taken the time to sit back and take stock of his accomplishments and the opportunity that is before him this weekend. Four months after putting on the most impressive performance on the UFC’s debut card in Abu Dhabi, Edgar is headlining the company’s first trip to Boston as the lightweight champion and one of the best fighters in the entire sport.
“It’s been a long road,” admitted Edgar. “I’ve only been fighting for four or five years, but I’ve been competing in wrestling since I was in seventh grade. I felt every since I’ve competed, I’ve taken it seriously and I’ve trained hard and really dedicated myself. So for me to be a main event on a UFC card, being a champion – it’s a card called Edgar vs. Penn 2 – that blows my mind.”
There are a lot of other people who are surprised to see Frankie Edgar’s name atop the marquee.
They are the same people who said he should move down to featherweight, the ones who doubted him last April in Abu Dhabi, and the ones who made him the underdog heading into this weekend.
Doubt him all you want; Frankie Edgar is the UFC lightweight champion and he’s planning on still being champion Sunday morning, no matter what the betting line or the critics say.