Frankie Edgar caps rise back to championship form with knockout victory

By Case Keefer (contact)

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015 | 1:30 a.m.

Frankie Edgar’s storied UFC career has played out anything but conventionally.

The Toms River, N.J., native rose to fame by capturing the lightweight title more than five years ago despite being the most diminutive fighter in the division. He fizzled from the top of the promotion nearly three years ago with three straight close losses in title fights to make up a stretch most fighters would never come back from.

The 34-year-old could have become less active or even retired with his legacy entirely secure. Instead, he rededicated himself and reached the zenith of mixed martial arts once again Friday night at the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan.

Edgar knocked out Chad Mendes in the first round of “The Ultimate Fighter” 22 finale to emerge as the top contender in the featherweight division.

“I knew if I kept putting myself in this position,” Edgar said, “I couldn’t be denied.”

Edgar pieced together a straight right with a left hook in rapid succession to leave Mendes unconscious at 2:28 of the first round for the fastest finish of his career. The victory tied a career-high as a fifth straight win in the UFC.

It was also among the most satisfying victories with UFC President Dana White announcing Edgar would officially await the winner of tonight’s championship bout between Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor. Edgar had unsuccessfully lobbied White for a title shot over the last year.

“Sometimes you’ve got to put the stamp on it, and he put the stamp on it tonight,” White said. “He went in there and looked spectacular, and I guarantee he’s got people buzzing right now. People are interested. People want to see it.”

The buzz will only pick up at UFC 194, where Edgar will sit cageside. He’ll watch the bout that will determine his next opponent with keen attention, but without rooting interest.

Edgar morphed into an optimist after beating Mendes, citing positive reasons for facing both Aldo and McGregor.

“It would be nice to take it from Aldo since he’s been on top for so long and we had that close fight where he got the W,” Edgar said. “But, then again, McGregor is the big-money fight so, for me, it’s a win-win.”

It’s rare to find Edgar so vivacious after his fight. The previous biggest wins of his career, particularly a pair of title fights with Gray Maynard, took a toll and forced him to rally back from considerable damage.

Edgar barely ate a single shot from Mendes, who had only previously lost to Aldo and McGregor, and had so much energy that he sprinted out of the octagon and into the locker room.

“I always prepare for battles,” he said. “I always get my mind right that I’m going to walk away with a bloody nose, stiches. That’s just how I like to mentally get right but it was nice to walk out of there unscathed.”

White was among the many who figured Edgar would need to weather an early storm and attempt to wear Mendes out in the late rounds. But Edgar’s boxing was too sharp for Mendes.

Unlike the majority of fighters who suffer major disappointment by falling from the championship ranks, Edgar only improved afterwards. And the resurgence has led him to Aldo or McGregor.

“I think they knew I was coming and now I just solidified it,” Edgar said. “No matter what happens, I’m going to be knocking on that door and they’re going to answer it and see me.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.