Even two weight classes south, Frankie Edgar still thinks he won’t be one of the biggest fighters in the division.
The former UFC lightweight champion is expected to make his bantamweight debut on July 11. Edgar (23-8-1 MMA, 17-8-1 UFC) takes on contender Pedro Munhoz at UFC 251, which is part of the “Fight Island” series of events taking place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
Edgar doesn’t feel like he’s making a big cut to 135 pounds despite having fought a good portion of his career at lightweight.
“Everything pretty similar,” Edgar told MMA Junkie. “I’ve been dieting since I got the call for the fight. So just eating clean and putting the right stuff in my body and being pretty precise and pretty strict in my diet. I feel great … and really good actually. When I was able to fight at 155 and 145, I didn’t have to eat the cleanest and kind of put whatever I want in me. Now, I’m forced to eat very clean, and I actually feel better.”
A few weeks out and Edgar said he’s already just about 15 pounds away from the bantamweight limit. Even though he spent much of his career at lightweight, Edgar doesn’t think he’ll be one of the bigger fighters in the division.
“I can walk around between 155 and 160 when I’m training hard,” Edgar said. “But I’m around 150 now, so I’m well on my way to 135. I probably won’t be the biggest ’35 for sure.”
Edgar never imagined he’d be fighting at bantamweight when he reigned as UFC champion at 155 pounds. “The Answer” said his success in the two weight divisions above just made the extra cut unnecessary.
However, coming off a loss to Chan Sung Jung in December and a few failed title campaigns, Edgar believes now is the right time for the drop in weight.
“I felt like I could compete at 155,” Edgar said. “I was the champion, and even though I lost, I lost razor-close fights to Benson Henderson and went down to 145 and I was competing with the best there – fought for the title a few times.
“So I really never felt the need to cut a boatload of weight. I didn’t want to be the best dieter. I just wanted to focus on my skill and be the best fighter. The nature of the sport is that everyone is getting bigger and better and better at cutting weight and putting it back on. So I kind of just thought now is the time to do it.”
To hear more from Edgar, check out the video above.
Frankie Edgar doesn't expect size advantage at bantamweight: 'I probably won't be the biggest'
