SHOULD JOSE ALDO be forced to withdraw from UFC 194, the featherweight division’s leading contender says he’s on standby if required.
Aldo, the UFC’s undisputed featherweight champion, is due to take on interim 145lbs title-holder Conor McGregor in Las Vegas on Saturday, 12 December.
The pair were originally scheduled to meet last month at UFC 189, but when Aldo withdrew due to a rib injury, Chad Mendes stepped in instead.
Frankie Edgar also made himself available when news of Aldo’s withdrawal emerged. However, following Mendes’ subsequent defeat to McGregor, Edgar is almost certainly next in line for a shot at the title.
Edgar was in Bahrain this past weekend for a press conference announcing the launch of the KHK MMA team, which McGregor’s head coach John Kavanagh is set to play a role in.
The 33-year-old American, who’s a former UFC lightweight champion, was asked by Severe MMA’s Andrew McGahon if he plans to stay in shape in case Aldo pulls out of his clash with McGregor in December.
“Yeah I’m hoping to fight around that time anyway so I don’t have to worry about it,” said Edgar.
“I’ll be in camp anyway and if something comes up… I really do think they’re going to fight this time around… but yeah, you never know. I was ready to jump in on 15 days’ notice, so no matter what I’ll be ready to go again.”
Whether it’s a title shot or not, however, Edgar said he’s eager to return to the octagon, having not competed since his impressive win against Urijah Faber in May.
“Yeah, I think I should be the guy [number one contender] no matter what. I do want to fight again, I don’t want to wait until they [Aldo and McGregor] fight and have to wait I don’t know how many months after that. I’ve got to make sure I take care of business but I believe I am the number one contender.”
When asked for his prediction for the meeting of Aldo and McGregor, Edgar said: “I thought Aldo would win and I’m still going to give him the nod, but I think it’s going to be more competitive than I expected.”
You can watch the interview in full here, complete with photobombing rear-naked choke attempt from John Kavanagh.
H/T: Severe MMA
