Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar to headline UFC 153, Erik Koch out due to injury

Good luck to Edgar, im kind of his fan, but its a real danger for his career; what will happen if he lose?

Employment in the UFC? Nothing. He's coming to rescue, so win/lose/draw he'll fight for the UFC again....many times.



Impact on Career? Again, (IMO) nothing. He's 14-3-1 in his career with his only loses coming to the current 155 champ, Ben Henderson, and Gray Maynard (whom he avenged his loss and draw to by KO'ing him 10 months ago. And it's not like Frankie has gone into his 3 losses and gotten destroyed. Two of them were highly contested UD's against him and the last loss was an SD. So, IMO a loss to Aldo (even a KO loss) is exactly that.....a loss to one of the most dominant fighters at any weight.



No shame in that.....and true fans will see it that way.

@Joe amazing breakdown of the situation!

I butted heads with Joe once, but he's a pretty "sharp" dude. Then again I butt heads with a lot of people from time to time.

Might not be any shame in it, but if he gets blasted in the first round because he's not acclimated to the weight yet it will definetly effect his drawing ability (and by that notion his pay scale).

plus his last fight i think 85% of us know he won

Frankie walks around at 160 and Jose walks around at 175 and you're worried about Frankie acclimating to the weight? This isn't the weight gap that exists between MW and LHW, and Frankie isn't exactly KenFlo.

Frankie Edgar will be a weapon at this new weight class. This is the weight class he belongs so why would he have a problem?



He has already proven how tough he is....a weight cut will be like a walk in the park for frankie...His camp knows what he is capable of...acclimatizing won;t be an issue.

Yes, and Jose has fought at 145 his entire career. Frankie has never fought there. It's not about if he can successfully make it or not (realistically he could make 135). It's about how his body fights competes when it gets there (which it never has before).



Acting like "he's small so it's a foregone conclusion he'll be much better there" isn't an accurate opinion. Sure it most likely could be the case (and I'm hoping it is as I've wanted him to compete there for a while), but he might losing something when he starts actually having to cut weight.

Are opinions ever accurate? Other then that, good point.

Everyone Edgar lost to, he beat them in the rematch. Bendo may have gotten away with a garcision but 90% of the MMA community know Edgar won that fight.



If he loses to Aldo he will get a win or two and have that rematch with him.

frankie made his name at 155 but is gonna cement his legacy at 145

hes helping grow the sport im rooting for him this is huge step up in divison he would probly finsih zombie and mendes

WOWWWWWWWW...what a bad idea. Losing to henderson because you didn't throw enough kicks doesn't look too great when you're up against someone that's legitimately beastly.



He was really within reach of regaining the title, this really isn't a good strategy.

Someone's talking sense here.

Welcome back DLS

great fight, but i think its to early for edgar!!! he lost 2 fights and will now face a top p4p fighter in aldo!!! why not built some new confidence?



i see this fight going the same way like aldo vs faber!!! legkicks for 5 rounds!!!

Kackvogel, Agreed. The fans really wanted that fight, but I don't think he deserves it quite yet. I'm wondering what will happen to his psyche if he loses to Aldo which is likely. I really like Edgar, but I think this can either make him or really break him.

frankie with outa doubt won the main event at ufc 150 and he def aint uriah faber .

losing 3 fights in a row is a huge test for any fighter, but edgar would lose 3 fights for the belt! at this point a fight with aldo is a bad idea

thas exactly what im trying to say...

he barley lost first fight with hendo besides that been winning all fights including at ufc150 he won clearly

This is sick. This is a super-fight.

A real superfight!

Awesome fight..... Zombie is out due to surgery, and Aldo has called out Edgar many times... So it's Good news.... Edgar will have to bring his Beast mode to Brazil........ Yes Brazil, is where Aldo is on Demon mode when fighting... Ask Chad Mendes.... Wow... Awesome f@ck!ng fight coming soon....I'm a big fan of both fighters... So Whoever wins I'm happy...

Edgar has no chance here... Dana's feeding him to the King of the Jungle! Edgar has no chance of taking Aldo down and he has ZERO chance of winning on the feet...

Edgar has no chance of taking Aldo down? Frankie's been taking down bigger dudes such as Henderson and Maynard for fun. Aldo obviously has sick take down defence and will punish Edgar if he doesn't get the take down, but watch Frankie pursue it until he gets it. Anyone counting him out before the fight is over is gassed, kid's an animal.

I have a feeling Frankie will be grabbing leg kicks in training to put Aldo on the ground. Im predicting another decision.

Yeah exactly, Frankie has more gas than Aldo, believe it or not.

I think at 145 Frankie will gain a lil bit of power, he even knocked down Gray and Ben who are bigger than a normal 155 fighter, by counter-punching though.

Aldo haven't shocked me against Kenflo. Frankie is from another planet.

Aldo has been training a lot with Gray Maynard , could definitely come in handy in this fight - the big question is will the cut have any effect on Frankie, although i am sure he can make the weight quite handily its out of his comfort zone could be some issues,

frankie can beat aldo, hes gonna be the same size and he has just as much heart. really bendo kicks just as hard as aldo and frankies speed footwork and top tier wrestling might be too much for aldo in the late rounds. whoever comes in with better conditioning and can implement their strategy will win. i got frankie he wants that title.

Epic !!!

Such an epic superfight, probbaly the most hyped for a fight I will have been since watching MMA.



Frankie's odds are stacked against him - fighting Aldo on roughly 7 weeks notice without expecting to get the fight, going down to enemy territory in Brazil which gives their fighters superpowers and perhaps againest the best fighter he has yet faced.



Huge Frankie fan but he is going to have to be take his amazing game to another level to win this one... hope he does.

So you stared watching MMA about a year ago or something?

No?



Silva Sonnen is right behind it but I realise that both of these guys are top 10 P4P, are extremely skilled in all areas of MMA and are two of the biggest names in the sport for the hardcores.

During my time watching the sport I haven't been around to witness a fight where both guys are right at the top - both top 5 P4P and champs of their respective weight classes (Frankie isn't officially LW champ but he is to me since he clearly won against Bendo).



To be honest the only time I can recall a fight being as good in skill level as this fight is probably GSP vs. BJ 2 and Velasquez vs. Dos Santos.



Basically what I'm saying is I can;t wait to see the #4 P4P and the #5 P4p go at it

Frankie isn't top 10 PFP right now, let alone top 5.

@Evan

Frankie isn't top 10 P4P?.... Hopefully that is some sort of silly joke, otherwise I may have trouble believing you have watched him fight before.

I won't go in to too much detail but saying he isn't top 10 just makes you look like, for a lack of a better word... a noob.



Frankie beat and the dominated the best LW to ever fight, went on to make an amazing comeback and another amazing comeback finishing with a KO over an undefeated and arguable top 10 P4P fighter (who who is far bigger than him), after that he had a close fight with a guy who is 2 weight classes above him come fight night (guy is also ranked top 10 P4P) and I even think he won that one and then rematches the so called champ and convincingly beats him but is screwed by judges.



I said I wouldn't go in to detail but I had too... couldn't leave you confused about Frankie not being in top 10.. especially top 5.

Nah, no joke. The fact that you would call me a noob does nothing more than show your lack of maturity. Which is not surprising since you can't even legally drink in the US yet. Remember dude, you're a kid. Don't get a ahead of yourself.



You might be confused on why your opinion doesn't matter more than other people so I'll go into detail. There are different people with different opinions about how fights went down. I thought Frankie beat Ben twice. However, the majority did not with the first fight and there was enough of a descrepancy in the second fight that the fight can't be considered a robbery. This is not the recent history of a top 5 PFP fighter, and not top 10 when there are fighters like Dan Henderson, Dominick Cruz, Carlos Condit, Junior Dos Santos, and Renan Barao who have good competition and haven't lost in a while.



Frankie is 1-2-1 in his last 4 fights.



Anytime I seem "confused" to you take a step back, and realize you're barely legal.

@Evan

I do not really see the point of bringing up laws of the US, especially when I do not live there.



I don't think my opinion matters more than others I'm just backing it up and beside that I think it's almost consensus that Frankie is a top 10 P4P.



Frankie isn't on a huge winning streak but look at the guys competition, the only person who fights more top guys is Jon Jones.



We don't have to think the same but I am very shocked, confused and almost embarrassed for anyone, especially a regular like yourself, to not ave Frankie in top 10 P4P.

That's what I'm trying to explain to you. If you are embarrased about anything be embarrased about thinking a fighter is a consensus top 10 fighter after losing 2 straight fights. He's not on any type of winning streak, and there are plenty who are. Even somebody like Gilbert Melendez who hasn't lost a fight in years misses the cut because of guys who have faced top notch competitors that have put together great winstreaks. This isn't even speaking on the top five who could consist of the consensus top 4 and any combination of D. Henderson, Cruz, or JDS.



If Frankie beat Henderson he'd be firmly entrenched right around #5. However, he didn't and he drops of in the rankings because of it.

@Evan

Dude theres so much more to P4P than a long win streak. Beating and being competitive with top fighters is more impressive than beating unranked guys.



Hendo is a beast but there is no way he is better than Frankie P4P, he doesn't have a full skillset - he relies on his punching and some clinchwork, combine that with a small gas tank and you can't compare him P4P with Edgar who is one of the most rounded guys in the sport.

Yes, which is why I cited people having win streaks against quality competition. Renan Barao is on a large win streak with his last few fights against legitimate top ranked competition. Carlos Condit is the same way (although he has the loss to Kampman 3 or 4 years ago). Henderson, Cruz, JDS, Benson, all of them have actual win streaks against really good competition. Not just "unranked guys".



No there isn't. PFP is about success against the top tier of our sport. Henderson has had more success at that than Edgar recently. It's simple. What his gas tank is compared to Edgar is irrelevant where PFP is concerned. He is definitely more well rounded than Henderson, but so are a lot of fighters these days. It doesn't make them higher on a PFP list.



Anderson Silva isn't the PFP best fighter in the world because he is massively well rounded. His takedown defense is average at best. It's the success he's had against top tier competition. Again, simple.

So success against Tyson Griffin (when he was beast), Jim Miller, Sean Sheri, BJ Penn, Gray Maynard and Benson Henderson (in reality) doesn't count as top competition?

His last 6 fights is only equalled in competition level by Jon Jones

Very true, but Jones has been dominant in them. Frankie has been to a contentious decision in 4 out of the 6.



Jim Miller was in his 6th professional fight in 2006. Griffin was pretty good back then, but even that was a contentious decision when it happened.



Nobody ever said Gray Maynard, and Ben Henderson don't qualify as top competition. You're making up an imaginary point to counter now. What I'm saying is he's 1-2-1 in those fights. Fighting against great competition is one thing. Winning against it is an entirely different matter.

I would love to read the reason why someone weaked Keiths position on Frankie Edgar.



My guess, its a "fan"... a weekend hero in his own bathroom, a weekend warrior who ccouldn't beat up a vegetarian drunk enough to eat a kebab...



Wow.

LOL!

@Mindkontrolle



:-) I was pissed off when I wrote that.



Cheers :)

What about Couture vs Nogueira, or Wand vs or Lidell, or Rampage vs Lidell, or Hendo vs Silva of I am to mention only UFC fights, Rua vs Machida, this fight does not even crack my top ten when it comes to fights I am excited for, I dont really care if there is a tittle involved I just want to see great fights.

@pound4pound

While many of those fighters were great during that time, I don't think any of them are as good or skilled as Frankie and Aldo are... they are the best of the last generation but Aldo and Edgar are true new generation fighters, and at the top of the heap of them.



Fair enough if you don't get up for this fight, I can;t see why it wouldn't but for me when two of the best fighters to ever live, who are both currently in their prime and basically champs then I have trouble sleeping at night!

Sorry but I stop reading after I realize you think that Fe skills compare to te people I mention, Aldo I get it he is one of the greatest but Fe I just cant see him there with the rest, I have watched his fight and I haved cheer for him once or twice but he biggest skill is his chin. But to each its on if you think he belongs among legends thats you own decision

@P4P

Frankie can match his skills against any of those guys and he has proven it - out boxed BJ Penn, defended Penn's legendary mount with expertise, out wrestled Maynard and Henderson, used great BJJ technique to defend two perfect guillotines from benson that have finished nearly everyone else, has been faster and used better footwork than all of his opponents.



Frankie Edgar is a machine.

Give it up Keith lol. Any knowledgeable fan with good eyesight knows FE is top p4p material. Some are blind, some are stupid, some are a bit of both. Trying to convince them of the obvious is like trying to get a mainstream politician to tell the truth. Just ain't happening.



Regarding this fight I fancy Edgar to take the belt. It is basically LW champ v FW champ as most of us know Edgar is the true LW champion. Hopefully he will beat Aldo convincingly then move back to 155 where he belongs and get the belt he was robbed of back around his waist. Of course things could not work out for him as Aldo is a very dangerous opponent and he now has a weight cut which he deliberately fought at 155 to avoid and the fact he will not have a speed advantage makes this an interesting fight.



I personally think this is biggest superfight in MMA history and could only be surpassed by Jones - Silva or GSP - Silva. A fan of both fighters but Edgar one of my favs so hope he wins especially given the shite he's had to put up with from judges and the bald one.

What am I saying? Edgar will destroy Aldo.

good for frankie edgar he gets an accidental immediate title shot thats cool but in my opinion i dont see him winning this one but its possible but not likely as i see it because i think jose has better foot work, his hands are faster and he has very good take down defense don't get me wrong now frankie has good foot work very good technical boxing and some pretty good wrestling but i just don't think its good enough to beat jose but then again this is mma and pretty much anything is possible in mma but anyway i wish him good luck and i hope he wins

lol dont worry bro, its happens to the best of us 8))

Bad Ass! Edgar has the ANSWER for Aldo. Cant wait!

thats karma for ya. in my eyes this is a superfight between two champions.

Right there with ya buddy! FW champ vs. the true LW champ!

Aldo is great, but he never faced someone like Frankie. Great boxing, footwork and especially great stamina, wich is going to be a big factor. Jose tends to gas when the fight goes to deep water, and Frankie is warrior with incrredible heart, known for taking big fights to decisions. My money is on Frankie in this one, can't wait.

Arguably Hominick had all of those things you mentioned but Frankie is a far better fighter than Hominick

and why did i get a weak i mean i think my comment and opinion was pretty valid and reasonable i didnt say frankie couldn't beat jose i just said in my opinion i don't see him doing it and that being said if there's is anyone i could think of beating jose it would be frankie and i hope by just saying that to that i didn't contradict myself which i think i might have

copy paste.... since I replied on your wrong post....dont worry everyone gets weaked around here, all they have to do is disagree or get butt hurt over something

its ok it doesn't bother me i was just wondering because its not like i was being a douche or something i was just giving my opinion and stuff

If Frankie gets blasted convincingly, which could happen. Then whats he gonna do?



I hope he doesn't but it could happen, this is Jose Aldo after all.

then get ready for dana to send him to BW

as much as i like frankie i dont see him winning... frankie suffered a lot with henderson leg kicks.... Aldo has more legkicks and more powerful than henderson. he will mess up frankies movement... and trying toput Aldo on the ground is a big big challenge.. Im not sure frankie can win but I hope he proves me wrong :) GO FRANKIE!

"But Frankie Edgar, being the stud and the warrior that he is, steps up and accepts this fight."



Dana is about as subtle as brain surgery with a spoon when it comes to taking thinly veiled shots at Jon Jones

Soo...spooning is bad? lol

I like both guys so I don't really care who wins, I just hope someone gets finished.

This is SO AWESOME! Wonderful fight!

Thank you Erik Koch for telling us immediately that you were hurt. And thank you Frankie for stepping up.

Great stuff from Erik. Told the UFC in time, and let them get a suitable replacement.

I see making an example of the Boner has paid off for Dana like most of what he does, whether ethical or not.

I don't think what he did to Bones has much emphasis on this. Edgar's just a little bit crazier than Jones IMO (in a good way). Plus Edgar gets to jump right back into title contention after a loss.



Whatever it is good for us (hoping that Edgar is able to peak after his first weight cut in years).

Frankie has got balls. No question about it. If I was his manager I'd have told him to hold off, and take one fight at FW before taking on the third or 4th best fighter in the world at a weight class he's never competed at. It'll be a shame if he gets blasted earlier simply because he's not used to the cut yet.



However, it probably won't get near the press Sonnen-Silva or Jones-Evans got, but this easily could be the best match up of 2012. Looks like MMA's 145 lb division is starting to get on par with boxings 147 lb division. Great stuff. Hopefully these guys can do big numbers, and get a great pay day out of this.

If I were his manager I would be telling Edgar he is the true LW champ and a top3 p4p fighter and so long as he prepares right he has nothing to fear as he possesses the necessary skills to deal with Aldo.

I dont care what anyone says. Frankie will come out with the W due to his ability to take a decent punch, Cardio, his gameplans are always good, He is a fairly fast striker, has great wrestling, and has been in the ring with some of the top fighters in the world. Whats another top fighter like Aldo to frankie. Its just another fight. There are only two fighters that Aldo has fought that I ever thought were decent competiton and thats Faber and Florian. All the rest of his fights are scrubs. Frankie is not a scrub and will bring a fight to Aldo. Too many people are on the Aldo bandwagon because he has a good record over "nobody fighters" . Not one fighter that aldo has faced is even in the top of the division anymore. Im sure ill get a bunch of "weaks" for my comment but suck it up people. Stop being like Joe rogan and picking fights based of the fighters ****s you want to suck. You can always tell who Joe rogan wants to win just because he wont stop talking about that fighter.

Pfffff

"The Magic Dragon"

Im only a amature cage fighter but 10 pounds is not going to be a problem for Frankie @Evan Holober. He fought at 155 at his natural weight. I know as you get older cutting weight gets harder but im only 21 and cut from 205-208 down to 185. 20 pounds and its not that bad.

Gotcha. I'm not implying that he could have difficulties with the cut itself, as I think Frankie is already the size of a BW in UFC standards. What I'm saying is its his first time competing while cutting to a division he's never fought at. the speed is different, and his body could react a bit differently. I hope you're right though, and think your logic is definitely sound.

I you right Evan, but I think Edgar is going to feel more agile, faster, stamina through the roof, but one thing that will suffer is his power when punching due to the weight cut. Hopefully he starts now slowly rather than wait till fight week, so he can adjust and let the body do its thing...ijs

WAR ALDO!!!!

WAR ALDO!!!!

would b epic to see edgar take the belt

hope his damaged leg does not hamper his training!

ppl talking about him losing but what if he wins?

Aldo is the top guy by miles, if Frankie wins, what competition does he have? does he move back up or fight Aldo several times? :p

If he was that dominant, Im sure he'd stay there and hold the division like Anderson, GSP, and now the Boner.

If he wins then he should move back to LW an retain the LW belt. He has proven he is the best LW on the planet. beating Aldo means he is also the best FW on the planet but LW has much more depth.

Nick Diaz is number 1 p4p! war diaz!