” It was a hell of a battle and Pedro was a stud,” Edgar said. “I heard a lot of barking that I was old and slow. I showed them all wrong. I still have some gas in this tank, baby, and I believe I can make a run at 135.
Edgar stated.
Despite a two-fight losing streak and whispers that his time had actually passed, UFC legend Frankie Edgar showed on Saturday his decision to move down in weight was anything however a desperate one.
Edgar, 38, made his launching at bantamweight an effective one by edging No. 5-ranked Pedro Munhoz by split decision in the main occasion of UFC Fight Night. The triumph, over 5 close and amazing rounds inside the UFC Apex center in Las Vegas, might propel the former light-weight champion into the title photo within his 3rd department.
2 judges scored the fight 48-47 for Edgar while the third judge had it 49-46 for Munhoz. CBS Sports scored it 48-47 for Munhoz.
” Three weight classes and I proved that I can take on the very best at 38,” Edgar stated. “I dont wish to hear absolutely nothing from anybody.”.
After years of fighting larger opponents in the featherweight and lightweight departments, Edgar (24-8-1) was the taller and longer male in this crucial bantamweight bout. He can be found in shredded at 135.5 pounds yet retained his championship-level endurance by going 5 hard rounds and frequently dictating the pace while boxing from the outside..
” It was a hell of a battle and Pedro was a stud,” Edgar said. I showed them all incorrect.
” If anything, I felt much better [stamina wise] than I was at any other weight not needing to bring the extra pounds.”.
Joe Solecki def. Austin Hubbard by means of first-round submission (standing rear-naked choke).
Shana Dobson def. Mariya Agapova through second-round TKO (strikes).
Munhoz, a 33-year-old local of Brazil, established himself early as the bigger puncher and stayed with Edgars mad speed throughout by landing tough counter shots and keeping the fight in the stand-up regardless of Edgars attempts at going to the ground..
Each time it looked like Munhoz (18-5, 1 NC) was on the edge of setting up a finish, though, Edgars legendary chin held strong and responded with busy combinations. Munhoz got rid of a cut to his left eye in Round 2 and entered the final stanza having actually done the exact same to Edgar as the action seemed to just increase each round..
The judges were left with a challenging decision of favoring Munhozs heavier shots or Edgars activity. Its a debate which couldve swung in Munhozs favor thanks to the visual toll that his difficult leg kicks took in causing Edgar to limp and stumble..
The truth that Edgar didnt wilt or buckle despite being injured late in Round 4 when he was visibly worn out most likely assisted him on the scorecards as he held his own with Munhoz throughout an amazing ending.
The win puts Edgar possibly near a shot at new champion Petr Yans belt thinking about UFC booked aging legends Dominick Cruz and Jose Aldo in the last 2 bantamweight title bouts despite both being less deserving than Edgar is right now.
” I just got my feet wet and I think the sky is the limit for myself [at bantamweight,] Edgar said. “I didnt look slow in there. Pedro is a leading pet dog and that makes me still a top canine.”.
CBS Sports was with you the entire way on Saturday, updating you with the most recent outcomes and highlights which you can view below..
UFC Fight Night card outcomes.
Frankie Edgar def. Pedro Munhoz via split choice (48-47, 46-49, 48-47).
Mike RodrÃguez def. Marcin Prachnio by means of first-round TKO (strikes).
Daniel Rodriguez def. Dwight Grant by means of first-round TKO (strikes).
