Former Ultimate Fighting Championship Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar turned back the hands of time to eke out a hard-earned split decision victory over Pedro Munhoz at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas yesterday morning.
Edgar, fighting for the first time at Bantamweight after losing three of his last four fights at Featherweight, bucked the odds to post the electrifying victory.
“It’s good to be on the winning side. It was a hell of a fight against a real stud. A lot of MFs were saying that I’m old. I’m slow. This should prove all (of) that wrong. I still got some fight in this tank baby and we need to run at 135,” said Edgar.
The 38-year-old veteran was a heavy underdog against the number 5 ranked Munhoz.
“He was number five and that (win) might put me right on the top five I’m sure I can still fight the best at 38 years old. I’d love to remain fighting. I don’t want to hear nothing from anybody,” Edgar said in the post-fight interview.
Edgar won the UFC Lightweight title a decade ago when he beat BJ Penn at UFC 112 April 20, 2010. He dropped down to Featherweight but lost a title shot to Jose Aldo at UFC 156 on February 2, 2013.
Edgar said he felt good fighting at Bantamweight because he didn’t have to carry the heavier weight of a Featherweight or Lightweight.
Before fighting Munhoz Edgar said he didn’t come down to bantamweight to “take part.” He wanted to make a run at the championship. The win against a top contender should push him into the top 10 in the division.
“It’s got my feet wet. I think the sky’s the limit for myself. I didn’t look slow in there. Pedro is a top dog. And that (win) put me in the top dogs. TR baby (Edgar was born in Toms River, New Jersey). TR! We back,” said Edgar.
In other fights Mike Rodriguez posted a knockout victory over Marcin Prachnio at 2:17 of the first round in the co main event at Light Heavyweight; Joe Solecki submitted Austin Hubbard in the first round at Lightweight; Shana Dobson knocked out Mariya Agapova in the second round at Women Flyweight; and Daniel Rodriguez also had a first round knockout victory over Dwight Grant at Welterweight.
In the preliminary card Amanda Lemos won by decision over Mizuki Inoue at Women Strawweight; Ike Villanueva posted a first round knockout victory over Jordan Wright at Light Heavyweight; Matthew Semelsberger decision Carlton Minust at Welterweight; and Trevor Jones posted a knockout victory over Timur Valiev.