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In the lead-up to UFC 281, Michael Chandler has given his opinion on "friend" Frankie Edgar's proposed retirement. The former insisted the UFC veteran is one of the best champions the sport has ever had.
'The Answer' has set plans to bow out of mixed martial arts, having spent an incredible 17 years competing inside the cage. During his 35-fight career, the American has put up some of the greatest displays while competing in the octagon. His matchups against Gray Maynard and BJ Penn are atop the list.
Michael Chandler discussed Frankie Edgar's decision to retire after UFC 281. Chandler admitted that due to their similar backgrounds, he looks up to the bantamweight and is blessed to share an event with the legend.
"He was one of those guys that I thought, 'Okay, I'm going to follow what that guy's doing.'... He was a champion for such a long time, I think he's one of the best champions we've had. He will for sure be a Hall of Famer."
'Iron' will look to build on his incredible knockout of Tony Ferguson by overwhelming one of the top lightweights in the sport, Dustin Poirier. The two are set to meet on the main card of UFC 281.
Check out what Michael Chandler had to say about Frankie Edgar's imminent retirement in the video below:
Frankie Edgar's legacy in the UFC
Frankie Edgar captured the UFC lightweight title and managed to defend it on three occasions before losing a fight-of-the-night effort to Benson Henderson back in 2012.
During his 14-year career in the promotion, the wrestler bested some of the top fighters to ever compete inside the octagon. He cemented himself as an all-time great in the process.
He is currently tied with Nate Diaz for the most fight-of-the-night bonuses in UFC history with eight. He also holds the record for the longest time spent in the octagon (7:55:11). The 41-year-old's resume evidently makes him a no-brainer for future Hall of Fame induction.
With wins over the aforementioned BJ Penn, as well as Cub Swanson, Urijah Faber, Yair Rodriguez, and former UFC lightweight king Charles Oliveira, Edgar will sit amongst the greats as a true icon of the sport.
