With Conor McGregor likely heading back to featherweight to defend his title after UFC 196, it seems he’s choosing between Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar for that fight. That may ultimately be his decision, but his coach John Kavanagh said on Monday that if it were up to him, the rematch with the former champion would be his top choice.
“Me personally, maybe the Aldo rematch, I’d like to see that again,” Kavanagh said on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. “I just think the first one was great for us, but it was a little bit unfulfilling…a little bit. I think Aldo has a fantastic set of skills, he was a great champion and I didn’t think that quite closed the chapter on that. So, [let’s] see a proper fight.
“I think stylistically it would be a very nice fight to watch and a very good challenge. So that’s my personal opinion, but like I said, I’m not the decision-maker on that.
“…Frankie, he’s a great fighter as well,” Kavanagh continued when asked about that option. “I just…you know Frankie’s lost to Aldo and Aldo just had such an amazing run. He just got caught with that very, very hard shot and went down fast. That’s just how that fight went. But just for me, because I think I learned so much just watching it, to have a good back-and-forth fight, I just think it would be for me I’d get a year’s worth of material to coach off for the next 20 years off. So, that would be my personal preference. But, if it’s Frankie or if it’s [Rafael] Dos Anjos or if it’s another 170 [lb.] fight, I’m happy just to be there.”
Penick’s Analysis: Edgar continues to have the first Aldo fight held against him, but it’s too often forgotten that he fought Aldo in his first 145 lb. cut and on short notice. That fight happened more than three years ago, and Edgar’s now won five straight fights. That includes a win over Chad Mendes that was more brutal and decisive than Aldo or McGregor accomplished. He’s very much deserving of a shot of his own. Again, it’s alright if they go with the Aldo rematch, Aldo’s reign prior to that loss makes him worthy of an immediate rematch, but arguing that Edgar somehow doesn’t deserve a shot of his own downplays him unnecessarily.
[Photo (c) Gary A. Vasquez via USA Today Sports]
Attention iPhone/iPad and Android users, if you’ve enjoyed our app in the past and followed us there, or if you’ve never checked it out, make sure to update to the latest version in the Apple store and/or Google Play store. We’ve launched a new look for the app, in line with our recent desktop overhaul. Make sure to check it out!
For current App users, swipe right to view next article, swipe left to view previous article.
Leave a Reply