Frankie Edgar shows enthusiasm for debut among bantamweights: 'I want to face the best'

F. Edgar fighting for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @frankieedgar

When January 25, 2020 arrives, Frankie Edgar He will be fulfilling an old wish of his team: to play in the bantamweight division (up to 61,2kg). With good performances in the lightweight divisions (up to 70,3kg), where he was champion, and featherweight divisions (up to 65,7kg), the North American will now be working in the division that, for many, should have been his division a long time ago. times. In an interview with the Ultimate program 'UFC Unfiltered', the athlete spoke about the new directions and the challenge of facing Cory Sandhagen, in January, at UFC Raleigh.

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“He (Cory) is very dangerous. He's currently number three (in the rankings) and I still want to face the best guys in my career. I feel that fighting third is a good way to debut in the new division,” said the former champion.

Although it is moving down a category, many imagine that the new group's rivals will be smaller in size and stature. However, for the new challenge, Ultimate chose a relatively big opponent for the division. The difference, however, does not seem to bother the North American.

“I hope you don't fight guys that are so long and tall. This guy I'm fighting is very tall, but I think I'll continue to be one of the biggest in the division. You have to take into account that the guys will be faster than the featherweights. This division has its own challenges,” he said.

Edgar also revealed that he will fulfill his team's old wish by agreeing to break the 61,2kg limit. For his coaches, this is the ideal category for the former lightweight champion at the moment.

“Everyone told me for years to move down a division. My coaches were advising me for a while, and I fought for the featherweight title a few times (three), and ended up being undersized. I feel like now is the right time to stay here forever,” concluded Frankie.

In his first appearance in the new category, the experienced former champion will have the duty to interrupt the rise of a promising member of the group. At 27 years old, Sandhagen has won seven consecutive victories, two of them against the Brazilians Raphael Assunção and John Lineker, recently dismissed by the company.

Edgar, in turn, comes from a bitter defeat against Max Holloway, in a fight valid for the featherweight title. The fight took place in July, at UFC 240.