Frankie Edgar sees title implications with BJ Penn rematch.

[The Great Cochrane]

Frankie Edgar shocked the world on April 12, 2010 where he came in as a significant underdog and defeated then lightweight champion BJ Penn for the lightweight championship. The controversial call immediately called for a rematch and Edgar furthermore cemented the claim that he was no less than the top 155 pound fighter in the world at the time.

Since then, Edgar has only gone 2-3-1 in his last six fights, with all three of those losses being title fights to Benson Henderson and Jose Aldo. Now, Edgar looks for a repeat performance as he faces Penn for a third time - this time at 145 pounds. He took some time out his training regimen to discuss what both Penn and the possible title implications behind this bout.

100 percent want to win another world title. That’s what I’m in this for. I’m not in this just to make a career out of just fighting. I want to make a career out of winning championships.

The fact that I did beat him twice – no way I want to lose to him a third time, and that could happen. The fact that I don’t want to lose the third time out is motivating.

He’s coming back from a layoff, and this is kind of his chance a redemption. I’m sure he’s going to change some things and try to come in and prove it. I can’t really worry too much about him. I’m going about my business and trying to be a better fighter every day. Pretty much since we’ve fought, I’ve been doing that, and nothing’s changed.

Listen, you get on the show, you’re popular, you’re kind of hot right now in trends and whatnot, and then that kind of promotes you in the media’s eyes a little bit. Sometimes when that happens, title shots happen.

Of course my goal is to get that title and do whatever I can to get there, but I’m just focusing on B.J., and those things will work itself out. If it’s one more fight or this fight that’s get me there, I’m willing to do it.

Edgar and Penn recently faced each other twice at UFC 112 and UFC 118 both times with Edgar taking home the unanimous decision. The two will face off once again on Sunday July 7th at the Ultimate Finale 19 finale from the Mandalay Bay Event Center as part of the first back to back weekend from the Bay for UFC International Fight Week.

Author: Alex Cochrane
Cited sources and quotes: BJPenn.com

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I want to give BJ the slightest chance of winning, seeing as he was one of my favorite fighters from 2007-2011. I've always said that he looks like a natural featherweight, and his last two performances he did look like a punching bag but those were against welterweights. it'll be interesting to see what'll happen in this fight.

Regardless, I still see Edgar taking home a unanimous decision.