Frankie
Edgar’s rise to contention in the UFC’s bantamweight division
hit a major speedbump on Saturday night.
The former lightweight champion and featherweight title challenger
was removed from consciousness 28 seconds into the UFC Fight Night
184 co-headliner when Cory
Sandhagen connected with a perfectly placed flying knee. The
knockout will likely top many year-end lists, and it halted the
momentum Edgar built last summer with a decision win over Pedro
Munhoz in his 135-pound debut.
As usual, Edgar is taking the defeat in stride. “The Answer”
released a statement regarding the bout Monday on his social media
accounts.
“I’ve licked my wounds long enough. I’m home with family, life is
good,” Edgar wrote. On Saturday I was as prepared for a fight as I
could have been. Props to Cory Sandhagen: he landed a perfectly
timed and executed bomb on me. Luckily, I don’t remember it
much.
This game can be a cruel bitch and Saturday night was just that,
but I ain’t panicked — I been here before. Thank you to my family,
team and friends who really are all one in the same for continually
giving me the love and support it takes to be a fighter. The
loyalty and unconditional love and guidance you all give me is
truly unbelievable. I love you all more than you know. To my fans,
who always ride with me, I appreciate you alland you make this fun
for me. Till the next time, see you all soon!”
Edgar, 39, has lost four of his last six promotional appearances
dating back to 2018. Three of those defeats have come via knockout
or technical knockout.