5 greatest fights of Frankie Edgar

Frankie Edgar standing with the Bahraini & US Flags in the Background
Frankie Edgar has had a number of impressive performances over the years

With the much anticipated Featherweight rematch between Frankie Edgar and Cub Swanson coming up this weekend in Atlantic City, it's time to look back at 'The Answers' five greatest performances in the Octagon.

From startling title wins, destructive KO's and violent submissions, the New Jersey native has had a great number of amazing performances in his over 13-year career.

The answer has been a staple in both the Lightweight & Featherweight divisions for UFC since UFC 67 back in 2007, and since then has amassed 22 wins out of 29 fights, and without a doubt has one of the most respected records in UFC history.

Which of Edgar's wins has been the best? It's hard to tell, but that won't stop us from trying!


#1 Edgar vs Faber (2015)

Frankie Edgar facing UFC Legend Urijah Faber
Edgar tactically nullified Faber's offence

When the UFC headed to the Philippines for the first time during the Spring of 2015, they needed a superstar headliner to sell out the arena in Manila. Who better to call up, than two legends in Frankie Edgar, and UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber.

Faber was coming off two lethal submission victories, and at 145 pounds Urijah Faber looked as tough as ever against Edgar. He was looking for a victory in order to slingshot himself back to a UFC title shot, and this fight did just that.

The California Kid had a perfect record in a non-title fight, but Edgar was determined to end that streak.

This victory is so impressive not because of any flashy KO or dominant Submission, but more because of the way in which Edgar tactically nullified the offence of Faber.

He used his solid wrestling to keep Faber on his toes and always fearing the takedown, and proved yet again that his striking is up there with UFC's finest.

#2 Edgar vs Maynard 3 (2011)

Edgar vs Maynard 3
Edgar proved his grit, resilience and superiority over Maynard

One of the greatest, and most exciting trilogies in Mixed Martial Arts history, we would be remiss if we didn't include the conclusion to the trilogy on this list.

The Answer lost his first bout against Gray Maynard in 2008 and barely escaped with the Lightweight Championship after a draw in January of 2011.

It was time to close out the rivalry with a third fight, Maynard chasing the title, and Edgar defending it at UFC 136 in October of 2011.

It was here, that Edgar proved his grit, resilience, and superiority over Maynard once and for all. After getting rocked heavily, and pounded with punches for the entire first round, Edgar looked to be on the verge of defeat.

However, The Answer bounced back and used tactical and powerful striking to bring the fight back to himself for rounds two and three.

From here on out and it was Edgar's fight to lose, and he certainly was not going to. In one of UFC's greatest comebacks, Edgar landed a vicious uppercut, followed by a right hook, and some fast ground and pound to put Maynard away and retain his title.

#3 Edgar vs Penn 3 (2014)

Edgar finishing BJ Penn at the TUF Finale
Edgar finished off BJ Penn at the TUF Finale

Already having two decision victories over UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn in 2010, where Edgar won and defended the UFC Lightweight titles, The Answer ran it back one more time in 2014.

After a two-year layoff, his last fight being a loss to Rory MacDonald in 2012, BJ Penn made his return to the octagon, coaching against Edgar for the 19th season of The Ultimate Fighter.

This time, Edgar needed to cement his legacy by finishing Penn once and for all, ending their rivalry and proving that he was simply better.

This fight was slightly different, as it was at Featherweight, unlike their previous two Lightweight bouts, but that didn't stop Edgar from getting the same result.

Frankie dominated an ageing Penn for three rounds, landing solid takedowns, and out-striking the Hawaiian legend in every way possible.

It can be argued that Penn didn't have it in him to beat Edgar at this point, but that makes this performance no less impressive as it was a showcase for his skill.

At the end of round three, Edgar made sure there were no questions left to be asked, took Penn to the ground with a trip and assaulted the veteran for most of the round, eventually resulting in a stoppage for the victory.

#4 Edgar vs Rodriguez (2017)

Edgar pounding on El Pantera
Edgar proved he was one of the mainstays of the division with this win

At UFC 211 at age 35, after 27 gruelling fights on his record, the stage seemed set for the young lion at Featherweight, 'El Pantera' Yair Rodriguez to come in and take the scene over.

Coming off a win against Penn himself, and on an eight-fight win streak, the Mexican born fighter seemed unstoppable ahead of his bout with Edgar in Dallas Texas.

However, it was not to be as Edgar showed everyone once again why he is a mainstay of the UFC, and why he still has exactly what it takes to remain at the top of a competitive division.

Yair's wild and seemingly unpredictable striking was ineffective against the technical master in Edgar who used clinical boxing and immaculate wrestling to keep Rodriguez grounded for the first part of the fight.

Even in round two where Rodriguez could have grabbed a leg lock submission, Edgar quickly turned the tables and unloaded another round of brutal wrestling and ground and pound, completely dismantling Rodriguez's face.

Ultimately at the end of the second round, the doctor deemed Yair unable to continue due to the flurry of offence from The Answer.

#5 Edgar vs Swanson 1 (2014)

Edgar vs Swanson 1
Edgar was brutal against Swanson

In November of 2014, 'Killer' Cub Swanson came charging at Edgar on the back off a six-fight win streak and looked to knock off The Answer on his hopeful path to a UFC Championship.

However, it was not to be as Edgar showed off exactly how devastating and varied his arsenal is with a dominating victory over the dangerous Cub Swanson.

Edgar's bout against Swanson was a wrestling embassy. He landed numerous takedowns over five rounds, forcing Swanson to the mat multiple times.

By the end of the second round, Swanson was already a bleeding, bruised man, barely surviving Edgar's onslaught.

The attacks continued as the fight went on, with Edgar using ground and pound to weaken Swanson over the last two rounds, not yielding a single hold to the California native.

Finally, with four seconds to go in the very last round, Edgar added insult to injury and capped off a dominating performance against Swanson with a murderous rear naked choke and got the submission victory.

With their rematch coming up this Saturday, will we see another landslide from Edgar, or can 'Killer' Cub avenge his loss? We don't know but we sure can't wait to find out!

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Edited by Alan John