UFC President Dana White has said for months that he would like to see former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar moved down to the featherweight division and the fight has decided to move down in weight.
The news was reported by Ariel Helwani tonight on “UFC Tonight” on FUEL TV and Edgar is looking to make his featherweight debut by the end of the end.
#Breaking:@arielhelwani reports that@frankieedgar has decided to officially move down to 145lb and would like a fight before end of 2012.— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) August 22, 2012
Edgar (14-3-1) is currently on a two fight losing streak, with both of the losses coming against Benson Henderson. He has gone 1-2-1 in his last four fights and White wanted to see Edgar drop down to featherweight after his lost to Henderson at UFC 144 in February.
Following UFC 144, Edgar had to convince the UFC President to give him another title shot in the lightweight division and White elected to give it to him at UFC 150. He lost a close split decision, which many people felt that he did enough to win the fight.
Edgar realized that it would take him some time to get a title fight again as a lightweight and is likely one win away from getting a title shot in the featherweight division.
A potential matchup for the former lightweight champion could be former title contender Chad Mendes, who is coming off a knockout victory at UFC 148 against Cody McKenzie.