Tag: Frankie Edgar

UFC bantamweight Frankie Edgar had quite the eventful aftermath to his disappointing loss to Marlon Vera at UFC 268.

Just days after the knockout defeat, Edgar underwent surgery to remove part of a bulging disc in his lower spine. The surgery was successful but requires quite a lengthy recovery process.

The former UFC lightweight champion has had his fair share of struggles since moving down to bantamweight. After falling short of featherweight gold, he’s lost two of his last three fights at 135 pounds, including knockouts to Cory Sandhagen and Vera.

During a recent segment of his Champ and The Tramp podcast, Edgar gave an update after undergoing two significant procedures.

“So far, so good,” Edgar said. “Obviously a little sore, but the reason I went there – it feels like it worked. I always push too hard, sometimes. I feel really good. I want to do more. I can’t twist and turn and bend over. I feel like I can do all that, but I’m trying to sustain myself in the meantime.

“I feel like I can do all of this, but I’m trying to make ends meet for now. I’m glad I did it. I hope it stays feeling like it is now. Two surgeries and now I’m fine walking around.” (h/t ESPN)

Last month, Edgar denied that he’s seriously considering leaving MMA just yet. During a podcast episode last month, he was adamant in his stance that he isn’t ready to retire, despite being 40 years old.

UFC President Dana White seemed vague about Edgar’s future with the promotion after his latest defeat, and he’ll likely need a win in his return to remain on the roster. For now, all things are looking positive when it comes to Edgar’s health.

Who would you like to see Frankie Edgar fight in his return to the cage?

Continue Reading Frankie Edgar Details Recovery Following Back, Hip Surgeries at MMA News.

Former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar isn’t ready to make a decision on his future in MMA. However, for the first time in his career, he isn’t thinking about his next fight.

Edgar suffered his second devastating knockout loss of the year at UFC 268 last weekend. Inside Madison Square Garden, “The Answer” faced Marlon “Chito” Vera. Despite a strong start, the 40-year-old was sent to the canvas by a brutal front kick in the third round.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CV-q399LOpV/

The loss followed an equally vicious setback against Cory Sandhagen in February. Having arrived at bantamweight with an impressive main event victory over Pedro Munhoz last August, Edgar challenged “The Sandman” at UFC Vegas 18. After just 28 seconds, the former 155-pound king was rendered unconscious by a flying knee.

Edgar Doesn’t Have A Definitive Answer On His Future

Having been finished by strikes just once in his first 31 professional outings, Edgar has now suffered three KO losses in his last four fights. That, coupled with his recent transition into the forties, has understandably brought up questions surrounding his future in the sport, with many suggesting now is the right time for the legend to retire.

During a recent episode of his Champ and the Tramp podcast, Edgar acknowledged that his retirement is the main topic coming out of his loss in New York City last Saturday. However, “The Answer” isn’t ready to make the monumental decision yet.

“Everybody’s going to bring up the fucking retirement and this and that, and I’m not gonna answer it because I don’t know what it is, honestly. I just want to know, when I do retire, I’m never coming back. I’m not ready for that yet. I’m not ready to make that decision yet.” (h/t MMA Fighting)

Despite that, Edgar did admit that for the first time in his career, he has no desire to think about his next fight or return to the gym immediately.

“But this is probably the first time after a fight where I’m not thinking about my next fight. I’m not thinking about getting back in the gym. I know I’m never gonna stop training no matter what I decide, and I will be back in the gym soon just because I’m addicted to that. But I’m not thinking of it, and this is the first time probably in my fight career that that’s happened.”

Similar to his remarks pre-fight, Edgar went on to suggest he doesn’t want to be finished with the sport yet. In his mind, he can still compete at a high level in the UFC. Nevertheless, the 40-year-old knows he’s found himself coming off KO losses too much in recent years.

“I know I’ve got a lot left to give this sport in many ways, like my spirit doesn’t want to be done, that’s for sure,” Edgar said. “I feel like I can still do this at a high level. I was doing that at a high level two nights ago and got caught with a good shot.

“But I don’t like being on this end, and it seems like I’m here often, as of late. So I’m being real about it, but I’m not gonna make a decision. I don’t know if I’ll ever be the guy that goes out and fucking announces he’s retiring, I don’t know if I could do that. I don’t know if I’ll be the guy a year from now that’s like, I want to fight. So I’m just not gonna make any fucking announcement.”

With the departure of Anderson Silva last year, many fans and pundits have discussed when the right time for fighters to hang up their gloves is. While many believe leaving the sport at their peak, similar to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement, is the best strategy, Frankie Edgar doesn’t believe fighting beyond his prime should tarnish his legacy inside the Octagon.

“Everyone asks, ‘What’s your legacy? What do you want your legacy to be?’ I make up some shit because I don’t know what it is. I don’t know what I want my legacy to be. I go out there and I fucking put it on the line, I put my heart into everything, I fucking prepare 100 percent of the way. But is that legacy? If that’s what I’m defined by, then I go out there again and I’m gonna put my fucking heart on the line again and I lose again, I’m tarnishing my legacy? How am I tarnishing that?”

Do you think Frankie Edgar should call time on his Octagon career?

Continue Reading Frankie Edgar Isn’t “Ready” To Commit To Retirement Yet at MMA News.

Frankie Edgar has released his first statement following his UFC 268 KO loss to Marlon Vera.

At UFC 268, former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar took on Marlon “Chito” Vera prior to the co-main event. It was a very competitive fight up until Vera ensured in the third round that the judges would have no say in the official outcome. Vera turned in one of the best KO’s of the year with an Anderson Silv-esque front kick to the face of Edgar, which brought about a prompt stoppage of the bout.

Edgar protested the stoppage immediately but remained wobbly after he returned to his feet. UFC President Dana White gave his opinion on the stoppage, stating that it was 100% justified. White also stated that he was unsure of what Edgar’s future will be in the UFC.

Edgar has lost four of his last five fights, with three of the losses coming by TKO/KO. Considering how tough Edgar has historically been to put away, those numbers are reason for concern, especially given the fact that the legend is now 40 years of age.

Tuesday, Edgar took to Instagram to issue his first statement following this latest defeat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWEMLSApwsp/

“For those who want to know what I’m thinking I figure the best way to share was on my podcast @champandthetramp. I’m proud of my team and the way we prepare, I have always been ready for a fight and I want to thank them for that. To my family thank you for your sacrifices you make along side me in this journey to achieve I love you all. To my fans that stick by my side no matter the outcome I appreciate every single one of you. Congrats to Chito best of luck moving forward, this Bantamweight division is a murders row. I see ya when I see ya.”

Do you believe it’s time for Frankie Edgar to retire?

Continue Reading Frankie Edgar Releases Statement Following UFC 268 KO Loss at MMA News.