When Frankie Edgar was the lightweight champion, UFC president Dana White said Edgar would get an immediate featherweight title shot vs. Jose Aldo, if he dropped a division.
However, after failing to win a rematch with now Lightweight champion Ben Henderson, White feels Edgar will have to get a win at featherweight before getting a title shot.
All that said, Edgar may choose to stay at featherweight, although uniquely among all the champions (except heavyweight), he does not have to cut weight significantly to reach the 155 pound Lightweight title limit.
I think Frankie would have to fight somebody at [145 prior to competing for the title there], White stated at the post-fight press conference. We’ve got that thing backed up, we’ve got all these [divisions] backed up for titles right now. That one’s backed up. And if I know Frankie like I do, I’m sure he’s gonna want to go down there and fight [for the belt] right way.
Again, I’m not telling Frankie to go to [145] or anything like that. I’ll talk to him later and see what he wants to do.
I like guys being in their own weight class, but it’s up to them. I don’t think there’s ever been a real public situation with anybody like there has been with me and Frankie. And it’s not because I don’t think Frankie can’t be [a lightweight] and isn’t talented enough. I just think he’d be a beast at [145], and I like the kid.
