Toms River’s own Frankie Edgar to be inducted into UFC Hall of Fame
It had often been exclaimed that former Lightweight Champion Frankie “The Answer” Edgar would one day grace the exclusive fraternity of the UFC Hall of Fame. As of this weekend’s pay-per-view, Frankie will be leading the charge for the class of 2024.
A little about Frankie
Born and raised in Tom’s River New Jersey, Frankie was a stand-out wrestler in his youth, wrestling for Toms River High School East. He would continue wrestling through college, wrestling for Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Frankie would leave the university with a total record of 120-55. Frankie cemented his legacy at the university, joining the school’s sports hall of fame in 2016.
Always an underdog, never a quitter
Frankie joined the UFC in 2007 in the organization’s lightest weight class at the time, 155lbs. At only 5’6, Frankie was often undersized in his fights, but he utilized his wrestling pedigree and fast hands to edge out victory. He defeated fellow unbeaten prospect Tyson Griffin in his debut. Frankie would go on to win two more fights in the UFC before his first professional loss coming at the hands of Gray Maynard.
After the loss, Frankie would win three more straight fights, one of which included former Lightweight Champion, Sean Sherk, which prompted the UFC to give Frankie a title shot against B.J. Penn, who is touted as one of the greatest lightweights of all time.
Entering the fight at UFC 112, Frankie closed the night as a +500 underdog against the defending champion. Frankie would beat BJ Penn by Unanimous decision and would beat him in the rematch just 4 months later.
His second title defense did not come as easy, as he faced off with divisional rival, Gray Maynard once again.
Frankie was on the verge of defeat early in round one, facing a barrage of attacks from the challenger. Frankie survived the onslaught, and rallied for the remainder of the fight, taking Maynard to a draw. This is regarded as one of the best fights in the division’s history, says tapology. He met Maynard again later in the year, knocking him out in the 4th round to close the trilogy.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 11: Frankie Edgar reacts during UFC 205 Weigh-ins at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2016 in New York City.
Finding a home elsewhere
After his run as champion ended, Frankie would drop down another 10 lbs and fight in the Featherweight division. Based on the body of work Frankie built, in his divisional debut, Frankie had an immediate title shot against incumbent Jose Aldo. He lost by unanimous decision after going the distance.
Undeterred, Frankie would go on a 5-fight win streak over the likes of; Charles Oliveira, B.J. Penn again, Cub Swanson, Urijah Faber, and Chad Mendes. Three of those opponents would hold gold at one point in their career. Edgar fought his way to another title shot two more times in the division. Once against Jose Aldo, and again against Max Holloway. Coming up short in both instances, Frankie fought one more at featherweight before dropping to the 135lb Bantamweight division.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 9: Jose Aldo punches Frankie Edgar during the UFC 200 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 9, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Again, based on Frankie’s merit, he was plunged into the deep end of the division facing off against perennial contender Pedro Munhoz in his bantamweight debut. Both men saw success during the fight, and after a back-and-forth bout, Edgar was awarded the split decision, winning fight-of-the-night in the process.
At 39 years old, Frankie then fought the outstanding striker in Corey Sandhagen, losing in Round 1. Frankie would then lose to Marlon Vera and Chris Guiterrez in his next two fights. Frankie announced his retirement in the Octagon on November 12, 2022.
Legacy
Frankie retired from the UFC a former Lightweight champion and a multiple-time championship contender. According to the UFC, he still holds the record for the highest significant strike defense in lightweight history at 71.8%. He owns the record for the second most fight time in the UFC cage at 7 hours 57 minutes. According to former lightweight contender, Paul Felder, Frankie was pivotal in the legalization of Mixed Martial Arts in the state of New York. People will remember Frankie for his never-quit attitude, grit, and determination. Frankie was well known for his trademark sprint to the cage, accompanied by Notorious B.I.G’s Kick in the Door. Frankie continues to raise his family in Toms River, not far from where he originally grew up. He is slated for his Hall of Fame induction this July.
