What’s Next For Frankie Edgar?

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Another weekend of fisticuffs has come and gone as UFC Fight Night 165 blew the roof off Sajik Arena last Saturday night (Dec. 21, 2019) in Busan, South Korea.

Plenty of fighters were left licking their wounds including Doo Ho Choi, who suffered his third straight defeat after getting knocked out by Charles Jourdain (see it here). And Mike Rodriguez, who was knocked out with a one hitter-quitter from Da Un Jung (video).

But which fighter is suffering from the worst post fight hangover, now 48 hours removed from the show?

Frankie Edgar.

Frankie was scheduled to make his Bantamweight debut in early 2020 against Cory Sandhagen before he got the call up to replace an injured Brian Ortega after he suffered an ACL injury.

It was an opportunity Frankie simply couldn’t pass up as Chan Sung Jung has been on “The Answer’s” radar for some time. Plus taking out the “Korean Zombie” on his home turf would be a good way to leave the 145 division and pick up a nice paycheck right before the holidays.

By taking the fight on just three weeks notice, Edgar went into the fight with no pressure. He really didn’t have anything to lose as far as rankings and championship hunt-wise because he was leaving the division anyway. Still, it’s not like Edgar was going to Busan just for a free trip and to do the promotion a solid.

He was going to win.

Unfortunately, it didn’t go the way Frankie would have hoped as he fell victim to a clean combination from the “Korean Zombie,” which ended up being what Jung needed to put an end to the fight in the very first round.

It was an unfortunate ending because many still wonder (and rightfully so) what would’ve happened if Frankie had a full camp. That’s because Jung is one of the best a 145 pound fighters in the world and is not a man you fight on short notice if you want to obtain favorable results.

Despite losing in the very first round, Edgar is going to be just fine.

That’s because Frankie still has plans to go down to the 135 pound division, a move i feel will prove to be great for “The Answer.” He just won’t be fighting Cory in a few months as he initially wanted to do.

“Well not what I had planned coming out here to South Korea, but win like a man and lose like one too,” said Frankie afterward. “Hats off to the KoreanZombie on a great performance. I think it may be time to cut this damn hair. Thank you to my family, team, and fans for the love and support.”

Despite the loss, Edgar once again scored some major points in the eyes of the UFC higher-ups because they know he is, has been and always will be a company man that is willing to step in at the drop of a hat and is willing to give up a title shot just to save an event.

As for what’s next for him, I’d like to see Edgar face Pedro Munhoz. Pedro (No. 6) was last seen losing to Aljamain Sterling and is eager to score a big win. A victory over Edgar would be huge for Pedro’s quest to get back into the championship hunt.

For Frankie, taking out Munhoz would be a good way to transition into the Bantamweight division before he starts eyeing top 5 opponents, who all currently have their eyes on the title anyway.