Frankie Edgar Promises Scrap with Jeremy Stephens at UFC 205

Frankie Edgar Promises Scrap with Jeremy Stephens at UFC 205

Frankie Edgar isn't the type to allow resistance stop him from reaching his goals.The former lightweight champion had been building steam toward another sho

Sep 26, 2016 by Duane Finley
Frankie Edgar Promises Scrap with Jeremy Stephens at UFC 205
Frankie Edgar isn't the type to allow resistance stop him from reaching his goals.

The former lightweight champion had been building steam toward another shot at a second UFC divisional title, until coming up short against Jose Aldo at UFC 200. That night in Las Vegas the longtime former featherweight title holder employed the better game plan, and Edgar was forced to watch his hopes for a championship opportunity lose steam.

Never one to back down from the challenges in his path, Edgar hit the gym immediately after returning to New Jersey, and waited until his next bout took shape. Last week on UFC Tonight it was announced the Toms River native would be facing fellow veteran Jeremy Stephens at UFC 205 in Madison Square Garden, and everything about the matchup has Edgar fired up.

"There's no way not to be excited for this fight," Edgar said. "Jeremy always brings it and I'm the same. We both love to get after it and there's definitely going to be a scrap in Madison Square Garden. He's a dangerous guy with a lot of power who likes to apply the pressure. We both love to push forward and that's the recipe for a great fight."

The topic of fighters engaging once things go live strikes a bit of a nerve with Edgar as the majority of his rematch with Aldo was spent in full pursuit of the former champion. While Edgar blames himself for not adapting to tactics his opponent employed, he's confident he won't have to look very far to find Stephens inside the Octagon.

null

Jul 9, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Frankie Edgar (blue gloves) fights Jose Aldo (red gloves) during UFC 200 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports

"It sounds cliche but it really takes two to tango in there," Edgar said. "You have to have a dance partner that is in there and willing to participate. I know Jeremy is going to come throwing some dangerous stuff and I'm going to be standing there to give it right back to him. That's definitely one that I don't have to worry about in this fight. This will be a great fight for the fans."

Edgar's championship run may have taken a detour back in July, but that hasn't changed his ultimate goal of becoming a multi-weight champion in the UFC. Edgar is determined to claim championship gold in the weight class he's called home for the past three years.

During his time spent in the featherweight ranks the 34-year-old has battled the best his division has to offer, and Edgar sees Stephens as yet another dangerous opponent to solve inside the cage.

"What happened at UFC 200 was definitely a setback but it didn't knock me out of the title picture completely. And while winning that title is still very much in my head, the first order of business is to defeat Stephens and get back into the win column."

null

December 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Frankie Edgar is pulled away by the official after defeating Chad Mendes by knockout during The Ultimate Fighter Finale at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

In order to bring his plans to fruition he'll have to outmaneuver and defeat one of the biggest punchers in the division, and that's a challenge he's looking forward to. Furthermore, Edgar is also ecstatic to finally competing in the famed Madison Square Garden, which is a venue every fighter growing up on the east coast dreams of one day competing in.

On Nov. 12 Edgar will finally get the chance to bring years of visions to life, and he definitely plans to make his first showing at MSG a memorable one.

"Oh man it means so much to me to be able to fight at 'The Garden,' Edgar said. "Growing up in New Jersey it has always been a place I wanted to fight in and for a long time it didn't look like it would ever happen. People would say this was the year and that was the year, but we kept coming up short. Now it's a reality and I can't wait.

"I was a bit worried the time wasn't going to work out as far as my fights were concerned, but I was willing to do whatever it took to make it happen. There were a lot of guys out there calling my name out but Stephens seemed to be the one guy who really wanted it and I'm thrilled to be fighting him. I knew our paths would cross one day and what better place than Madison Square Garden? It's gonna be a great fight."